Fears of Food Insecurity Rises as drought is declared by the UK government

There were five months of below-average rainfall around England, where temperatures were above average. Drought is declared by the UK government in several parts of England. Drought results in agricultural losses which could threaten water availability and food security. 

England Experiences the Driest Summer in 50 Years

Drought is declared by the UK government, as some parts of England are dealing with a water crisis. Water shortage has resulted in drought in parts of South West, southern and central England, and east of England. Senior decision-makers from Environment Agency and Water Minister Steve Double had a meeting to consult about a response to the drought. Representatives have discussed the risks and impacts of the fifty-year driest summer.

The Environment Agency has confirmed the drought status in several areas where households will face new curbs on water usage. The agency wants to balance water needs and conserve water during a prolonged period of hot and dry weather. Water companies must ensure that the water supplies are safe. The Environment Agency has urged water companies to continue precautionary planning to protect essential water supplies.

England Should Take Water Consumption Under Control

The Guardian saw documents that show the Environment Agency may add more areas into the drought region later this month. Low rainfall put England into prolonged dry weather status then drought was declared by the UK government in some areas. All geographic regions in England experienced five consecutive months of below-average rainfall. After the hot and dry July, England is expecting another heatwave in August. So, water companies must be tough on consumers to conserve water before the future heatwave. Water companies have banned customers from using hosepipes and washing their cars with tap water. Water companies also prohibit the use of sprinklers for the cleaning of buildings, windows, and vehicles. The Environment Agency can ask for restrictions on water usage for spray irrigation on farms. The agency may ask for use limitations in industrial manufacturing or food processing.

Water Leakage Should End in England

The reservoirs are becoming empty fast, and crops will drop by 10 to 50 percent. Water companies should manage water resources and may ask customers to access water from standpipes or portable water tanks. Water companies should also tackle water leaks with investment and modern infrastructure. The private water companies must do enough to fix leaky pipes which have been there for years. Water companies must step up utilities to cope with water shortages and high demand. It will be a big challenge to tackle water leaks because some parts of the 347,000 km of water pipes date back to the 19th Century. Water companies in England have planned to cut water leakage by at least 15 percent between 2020 and 2025. Most of those companies have met their targets while working toward halving water leakage by 2050. 

England Collects Water to Reduce Crops Failure 

Many areas of the UK are water-stressed, and everyone should use water wisely. England will need above-average rainfall this autumn and winter to avoid another drought status next year. The Environment Agency has warned that 13 rivers across England run at the lowest level since records began. A period of low rainfall created a water shortage, and parts of England were in a drought. Because of little rain, lower groundwater, and reservoir levels, drought is declared by the UK government.

The UK water companies provide tap water from rivers, lakes and springs, aquifers, and reservoirs. The UK needs robust infrastructure to survive the worst impacts of the meteorological threats. Failing to collect and store water can increase the danger of crop failure, therefore, it threats food products. The government must manage water agriculture and food products. 

Fears of Food Insecurity Increased 

Drought can change crop and livestock production trends which could change food price trends at a local level. Climate scientists and food security analysts believe that climate change can threaten food security around the world. When food is not regularly available and affordable, nutritional security is under threat. Climate change has changed regional patterns of rainfall, and areas highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture are vulnerable. During a period of drier than normal conditions, drought is declared by the UK government. Such conditions will naturally result in agricultural losses in the future. Drought and water shortage are the major reasons for food shortage and insecurity. There are scary statistics about England’s food security. There will be a lack of food for livestock. Consequently, its production will be down nationality due. 

More Families Will Fall into Food Poverty

There will be shortages of fresh fruit and veg because of drought. Therefore, food prices will increase, and many people will have to eat less healthy and nutritionally poor food. UK supermarket food prices have jumped by 9 percent last year while millions of people are struggling to put food on their table.

Shoppers have already seen a large increase in meal prices and households will face a surge in food costs. Food Standards Agency (FSA) reported that two million people have fallen into food insecurity in just six months. There were already ten million people in food poverty, which means now 12 million Brits are in food insecurity. Drought will make things worse by pushing up food prices. Now that drought is declared by the UK government, it must provide help to the deprived families. 

Conclusion

British people are dealing with water shortages and drought in some regions of England. Rainfall was lower than average, and reservoirs are becoming empty, while extreme weather continues across the country. After the dire July heatwave in Britain, drought is declared by the UK government. Water companies need to act robustly to encourage a reduction in consumption and must reduce water leakage. Water shortage and drought will change the environment and damage agricultural products.

Drought will increase supermarket prices, and more people will fall into food poverty. Millions of people already suffer from a cost-of-living crisis and have difficulty buying food. Therefore, many people will eat less healthy meals and will have to eat more processed food. The UK government must help the most complex suffering people during the drought.