A new study warns that persistent heat and lack of rainfall in the past two months are affecting summer crops and fodder supply across western and central Europe.

This is according to  the latest MARS bulletin of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.

 The JRC says the strongest impacts are being reported in France, southern Germany, northern and central Italy, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and western Romania.

High temperatures combined with a lack of rain have affected crops and fodder supply, and limited irrigation water has further intensified the stress in several regions.

In Benelux countries, including Belgium, plus Slovenia and Croatia, hot and dry conditions reduced yield expectations for summer crops, particularly maize.

The report says, “Hot and dry conditions intensified from late June onwards, affecting summer crops during critical development stages. Yield expectations have been reduced, particularly for maize, with locally more substantial impacts where irrigation is unavailable.”

Meanwhile, fodder supply is a concern across large parts of western and central Europe, with persistent heat and drought having reduced pasture availability and biomass accumulation.

Published every month, the JRC MARS bulletin assists the Commission in monitoring agricultural conditions and responding to the difficulties farmers are facing. The Commission remains committed to supporting farmers so they can continue to provide affordable, high-quality food.

On Wednesday, a commission spokesman said, “This is where the  CAP plays a key role to make agriculture more resilient and better adapted to climate change by supporting farming practices that strengthen resilience and more sustainable methods.

“The CAP supports investments in efficient irrigation, climate-resilient infrastructure, water-saving technologies and better water management, and supports the shift to more climate resilient crops.”

Comment came from EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen.

He said: “This summer has been particularly difficult for farmers across the EU.

“Drought and extreme heat are putting crops, fodder, livestock, and farmers’ incomes under increasing pressure.

“We are closely and actively monitoring the developments, gaining insights of the impact directly from the ground.”

The official added, “These events are a reminder that we must prepare for a future in which extreme weather becomes more frequent.

“We need to support farmers today while making European agriculture more resilient for tomorrow.”

 

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