MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR This is the time of year when we expect the weather to be hot in this country and throughout the countries of our nearest European neighbours. The weather since the beginning of the year has not been kind to our farming community. Late lambing and beef animals coming on later, affected the meat supply. Snow and then late frosts, affected planting of root vegetables and brassicas as well as tilling and sowing for cereal and oilseed crops. This country will never be self-sufficient in food simply because we do not have enough land surface to support our growing population. Whilst great steps have been made to improve the yields in cereal grains since the 1950s with the help of our scientists, it is not possible to do the same with farm animals – they still need space. The weather across Europe therefore affects a good percentage of our imports of fresh, chilled and frozen meat, vegetables, cereals, and even cheese and wine. The effect on manufacturers and processors in the UK is uncertain prices and uncertain supply in the coming months. The effect on the consumer depends on the whim of the supermarkets in their battle for supremacy that in turn puts pressure on the food manufacturer and processor. If the weather remains too hot for too long this will exacerbate the problem.
Adrian Binsted Editor