Farmers lose £161m to extreme weather

Scotland’s farmers lost up to £161 million last year due to the extreme weather, according to a new report. The losses equated to around 6 per cent of the total agricultural output of the previous year.

The livestock sector was hit hardest by the double impact of severe snow in March and higher feeding costs over the hot summer.

Environmental charity WWF Scotland said farmers were “increasingly on the frontline” of climate change. The Economic Impact of Extreme Weather on Scottish Agriculture report was commissioned by WWF Scotland and compiled by Ecosulis.

The “Beast from the East” snowstorm last March brought the most significant spell of severe winter weather since December 2010. It was followed by the joint hottest summer on record for the UK. Sheep farmers suffered the biggest hit, with losses of £45 million. This was followed by wheat (£34m), beef (£28m), and barley (£26m).

Dr Sheila George, food policy manager at WWF Scotland, said: “Last year’s extremes will soon be the norm rather than the exception … it’s so important the Scottish Government takes action now to support our agriculture sector to adapt.”