19 May 2008

Almost three quarters of vegetable growers in England interviewed by Farming Futures www.farmingfutures.org.uk report that they are already taking action to reduce climate change.

Improving energy efficiency, water management and growing novel crops are key ways in which vegetable growers are adapting to and reducing their contribution to climate change.

New survey results released today by Farming Futures www.farmingfutures.org.uk , also found that half of growers are already affected by climate change and 60% expect to be affected in the next ten years.

Vegetable growers are keen to take action, with 40% reportedly making adaptation measures on their farms already. Growers seem unsure whether climate change presents opportunities or risks to their business with almost a quarter believing climate change will present opportunities for their business.

More survey results are available on the new Farming Futures website www.farmingfutures.org.uk , which will help farmers, land managers and their advisors with practical ideas to make their businesses more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Farming Futures www.farmingfutures.org.uk provides inspiration and information via fact sheets on every farming sector and topical issues such as anaerobic digestion, water and biomass which can be downloaded from www.farmingfutures.org.uk www.farmingfutures.org.uk . Farmers can watch videos, read case studies of best practice and sign up for free events throughout the year. The events will provide ideas on how to adapt to and reduce the impacts of climate change now, whilst reducing cost and risk in the future. Farmers can also join online discussions on the FarmingFutures Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12287764766&ref=mf

Katie Zabel, Farming Futures project manager said: "Farming Futures www.farmingfutures.org.uk is a great resource for growers and their advisors worried about or interested in finding out moreabout the opportunities and risks that climate change brings." Climate change will affect us all but taking action now can help reduce the costs and risks it presents to growers. Farming Futures is inviting beet growers to a special event at Broom's Barn, Rothamstead on 8 July to find out how to take practical action to prepare their business now for the impacts of climate change. People interested should register on www.farmingfutures.org.uk

Farming Futures is an industry-led collaboration project between the NFU, CLA, AIC, AHRF, Forum for the Future and Defra to communicate practical action on climate change.

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

· Media enquiries to Katie Zabel, project manager: k.zabel@forumforthefuture.org.uk or 07825 204434.

· A special event for beet growers will take place on 8 July, please see www.farmingfutures.org.uk for more details · Journalists are invited to attend free on-farm workshops, down load fact sheets, case studies and read about the regional impacts of climate change, please visit: www.farmingfutures.org.uk or call 0207 324 3622

· Farming Futures is running a series of events throughout 2008 - please see www.farmingfutures.org.uk for more information and register attendance

· The new website goes live on 16 May 2008, containing new fact sheets, case studies, regional maps and illustrations explaining climate change.  Peter Kendall and Henry Aubrey-Fletcher feature in new video case studies on the website and new fact sheets include: focus on anaerobic digestion, forestry and orchards.  Farming Futures is a communications collaboration project between Forum for the Future, the NFU, CLA, AIC, AHRF (on behalf of the agricultural and horticultural levy boards) and Defra.

These results are the latest in a series of four surveys interviewing farmers about climate change, 385 farmers were questioned in each survey

Agriculture contributes seven per cent of the UK's green house gas emissions - comprising of: 67 per cent nitrous oxide, 37 per cent methane and one per cent carbon dioxide.  Farming Futures is funded by Defra's Farming for the Future Programme until March 2009.

Katie Zabel Project Manager, Farming Futures
t +44 (0)20 7324 3670
f +44 (0)20 7324 3635
m +44 (0)7825 204 434
e k.zabel@forumforthefuture.org.uk
w www.farmingfutures.org.uk

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