LONDON, United Kingdom, October 26, 2000 (ENS) - The threat of climate change and increasing demands on water supplies have prompted the United Kingdom's farmers to launch a water conservation campaign today.
The National Farmers' Union says its Water Wise campaign is the first of several green initiatives aimed at meeting the demands of the farming industry and the environment. The 92 year old organization represents 140,000 people, including 75 percent of full time farmers. Although agriculture and horticulture uses less than five percent of the United Kingdom's water supply, it is at the forefront of farmers' concerns, according to a survey carried out by the National Farmers' Union earlier this year.
The survey results released today reveal that farmers are increasingly investing in reservoirs, ponds, irrigation systems and advanced monitoring equipment to deal with unpredictable weather and the threat of water shortages.
Carried out with the help of green groups including the Worldwide Fund for Nature and Royal Society for Protection of Birds, the National Farmers' Union polled 1,000 farmers on water issues.:
