Mixed fortunes from climate change

7 June 2000



Mixed fortunes from climate change

IN CLIMATE terms England is moving 25 miles south each year as a result of global warming, reports the Daily Express.

By 2080 the temperature in the south will have increased by 3.5C and be similar to that of Bordeaux.

This climate change, thought to be caused by burning fossil fuels, will bring mixed fortunes to farmers, says the newspaper.

It is estimated that the destructive Colorado beetle will flourish in warmer conditions, colonising up to 11% of the UK.

But warmer weather will see maize become a staple, summer fruits such as strawberries and raspberries become perennials and peaches and nectarines grown on a large scale.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that the government may take action to tackle anomalies in its climate change levy.

This seeks to tackle global warming by penalising companies for releasing greenhouse gases.

Discounts of 80% are available for companies which sign pollution-cutting deals.

The National Farmers Union has argued that the tax could badly hit farmers and growers with high energy requirements.

Industry has complained that the use of the EU integrated pollution prevention and control directive to define eligibility for discounts has produced unfair results.

Under the directive some clean industries are unable to negotiate discount, and one sector can be excluded although competitors are eligible.

Treasury ministers say there is no question of changing the outline of the tax, but the FT says efforts are being made to find “a less risible way of enforcing it”.

The same newspaper reports that environment minister Michael Meacher is seeking a public commitment from industrialists to improve the environment.