UK Ministers Hold Emergency Drought Meet - Forest Fires Continue, April Moisture 24% Of Historic Avg

[hatrack]

Tomorrow, Caroline Spelman, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will convene a high-level summit to draw up a blueprint for dealing with drought conditions this summer. "We need to be properly prepared for prolonged dry conditions – and anything that can be done now to lessen harm to crops, wildlife or rivers, and to minimise the effect on households, should be done – and done quickly," Ms Spelman said.

Among those attending the Whitehall talks are the industry body Water UK, the UK Irrigation Association, the National Farmers' Union, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Horticultural Trades Association and British Waterways. Officials from the Department for Communities and Local Government responsible for fire policy will also attend. And on Friday water companies will publish reports on their preparedness for the likely impact of climate change, including wetter winters and hotter, drier summers.

Jenny Bashford, NFU water policy adviser, said: "Farmers and growers are once again facing some extreme conditions, but they are well versed in dealing with the vagaries of the weather. Whatever weather issues are faced, it is always the increased cost to the farm for feed, bedding, impacts on crop growth and price that cause concern."

The Fire Brigades Union claims the Government has so far failed to respond to the growing pressure posed by climate change. With fire services facing cuts of up to 25 per cent over four years, the risk of wild fires spreading out of control is growing. Matt Wrack, the FBU general secretary, said: "Increasingly dry and warm weather has created perfect conditions for the huge increase in wildfires so far this year. Fire crews have been working to the point of exhaustion to protect their local communities."

EDIT

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/ministers-call-emergency-summit-as-drought-looms-2284401.html