A new survey commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has revealed a stark reality: British farmers are being hit hard by extreme weather, with 98% experiencing damaging events in just the past five years.

From floods and heatwaves to droughts and relentless rainfall, these climate shocks are disrupting livelihoods, reducing farm productivity, and leaving farmers anxious about their future. 

Many farmers have reported feeling depressed or anxious after these events, with the most common worries being the loss of crops or livestock, the financial costs of recovery, and the uncertainty of what to plant when the weather has become so unpredictable. Farmers are not just worried for themselves; they are deeply concerned about whether the next generation will be able to make a living from farming as extreme weather intensifies. 

Importantly, more than half of farmers surveyed said that tackling climate-related risks must be the top priority for the future of UK food security. They recognise that unless we adapt what we grow and how we farm, the nation’s food supply will become increasingly unstable. 

This is a clear call for change.  

To support farmers and protect the nation’s food system, the Government must provide stronger incentives and subsidies that help farms adapt to the climate crisis. That means rewarding climate-friendly practices, investing in resilience, and ensuring farmers aren’t left to shoulder the burden of climate damage alone.

When climate extremes hit farms, it’s not just people who suffer, animals do too. Flooded fields, heatwaves, and storms can cause illness, injuries, and stress for livestock. In intensive farming systems, where animals are already kept in crowded or confined conditions, these impacts are magnified, worsening welfare problems and increasing the risks of disease. 

At the same time, how we treat animals is directly linked to how resilient our food system can be. Industrial farming practices that push animals to their limits contribute heavily to emissions, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, making farms even more vulnerable to climate change. Whereas higher-welfare, pasture-based, and regenerative systems not only give animals better lives but also help build healthier soils, protect nature, and lock carbon away.

Adapting to climate change isn’t just about helping farmers cope with floods or droughts. It also means rethinking the kind of food we produce. Right now, much of UK agriculture is geared towards meat and dairy, which are resource-intensive and contribute significantly to emissions.  

If we are serious about building a climate-resilient food system, we must transition towards: 

• Growing more climate-hardy, sustainable and nutritious crops that can withstand extreme weather. 
• Reducing reliance on intensive livestock farming and supporting higher-welfare systems. 
• Shifting diets towards more plant-based foods, which lowers emissions, improves health, and reduces pressure on farmers and animals alike. 

These changes aren’t just better for the environment, it’s a way to safeguard farmers, animals, and the public from future food crises. Supporting this transition will mean healthier diets, more secure farming communities, and a food system that is equipped to weather the storms ahead. 

If we want British farming to have a future, we must act now.