European farmers spray police with liquid manure  during another violent clash in Brussels

European farmers spray police with liquid manure during another violent clash in Brussels

European farmers sprayed police with liquid manure and hurled eggs and flares during another wave of clashes in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, February 26, 2024. The confrontation occurred as the European Union’s agriculture ministers convened to address the agricultural sector’s grievances, including red tape and competition from low-cost imports.

England’s farms suffer as one of the wettest winters devastates crops

England’s farms suffer as one of the wettest winters devastates crops

England’s agricultural sector is facing a crisis as one of the wettest winters in decades leads to widespread flooding, destroying thousands of acres of crops and placing significant financial pressure on farmers. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) conference has put flooding at the top of its agenda, with farmers across the country reporting catastrophic losses.

Extreme cold event in BC causes near-total crop failure, Canada

Extreme cold event in BC causes near-total crop failure, Canada

The British Columbia wine industry is bracing for unprecedented crop losses due to an extreme cold event in January 2024, with preliminary estimates forecasting a production decrease of 97 – 99%, resulting in industry-wide revenue losses between $440 – 445 million.

Scotland’s agricultural sector heavily impacted by Storm Babet

Scotland’s agricultural sector heavily impacted by Storm Babet

Entire crops were lost and farmlands inundated as Storm Babet struck Scotland between October 19 and 22, 2023. The River Esk in Brechin overflowed its 3.8 m (12.5 feet) high flood walls, leading to unprecedented flooding in areas like Angus and Perthshire.

Extreme weather spells disaster for Chile’s beekeeping industry

Extreme weather spells disaster for Chile’s beekeeping industry

Extreme weather events, including significant floods and wildfires, have wreaked havoc on Chile’s bee colonies, essential pollinators for the country’s vital avocado and almond crops. The events, described as the worst in a decade, have critically endangered a key component of the South American nation’s multi-billion-dollar food industry.

Italian agriculture severely impacted as floods ravage Emilia-Romagna

Italian agriculture severely impacted as floods ravage Emilia-Romagna

From May 16 to 20, 2023, severe floods and over 300 landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the Emilia-Romagna Region of Northern Italy caused 13 fatalities and significant damage, with one person still missing and 36 000 people evacuated. This extreme rainfall event caused extensive damage to farms and rural infrastructure.

Heavy rains affect nearly 500 000 people, devastate crop fields in Jiangxi, China

Heavy rains affect nearly 500 000 people, devastate crop fields in Jiangxi, China

Nearly 500 000 people in Jiangxi province were affected by heavy rains from Friday to Sunday, May 5 – 7, 2023, leading to the evacuation of around 14 000 residents and causing an estimated 520 million yuan ($75.2 million) in direct economic losses. China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched a level-IV emergency response for flood control on May 6. Rescue operations are underway.

Heavy rainfall in Ireland leads to wettest March on record, impacting agriculture

Heavy rainfall in Ireland leads to wettest March on record, impacting agriculture

Ireland experienced its wettest March on record last month, with 173.3 mm (6.8 inches) or 169% of the average for the month. The wettest March followed on from what was confirmed provisionally as the fourth driest February on record. Before last month, the previous wettest March was in 2019.