// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Continued drought could cause shortage of certain foods, head of farmers' union says
Parched fields and meadows in Finedon, Northamptonshire
There could be a shortage of certain food products if the current drought conditions continue, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said yields of wheat and oats were "very, very poor" this year and warned livestock farmers have had to use their winter feed rations because they have been unable to grow grass.
Drought has been declared across large parts of England and the whole of Wales as successive heatwaves left water supplies under strain, with more than 20 million people now under hosepipe bans.
Amber heat health alerts have also been issued for large parts of England, including the Midlands, the South-East and the South West, until Wednesday.
Satellite images show impact of heatwaves and drought on UK landscape
How cow showers and fans help farmers keep cattle cool
Speaking to the BBC, Bradshaw said high temperatures and drought conditions have placed all areas of farming under increasing pressure.
Vegetable producers, he said, are running low on water, reducing the amount of food produced in the UK and increasing the cost it takes to grow it.
"We can't change what's happening at the moment, there is no water in our rivers, but we must use this to take action for the future," he said.