Environment Agency warns on threat from drought
The Environment Agency has warned that the predicted drought over this coming summer could have a severe impact on the nation's wildlife. The Agency has noted that parts of England have experienced their driest 18 month period since the beginning of keeping organised records and that 15 river flows it monitors at key sites for evidence of drought have now been designated exceptionally low. Falling water levels are predicted to raise the risk of predation as nests become exposed, put young amphibians and other wildlife in danger, and increase the likelihood of forest fires.
Commenting, Environment Agency National Conservation Manager Alistair Driver said "The amount of water that we use at home and in our businesses has a direct effect on the amount of water available in our rivers and for wildlife. We would urge all water users - including consumers, businesses and farmers - to use water wisely to help protect our valuable natural environment."
"Nature is very resilient, but given that we are seeing early summer droughts like this happening more frequently, then we can expect to see the real impacts of climate change on the numbers and distribution of some of our more susceptible wildlife." Mr Driver added.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
