Guidance

Intensive farming: examples for your adapting to climate change risk assessment

Updated 17 May 2023

Applies to England

Possible impacts and mitigation measures to consider when preparing your climate change risk assessment.

Summer daily maximum temperature

This may be around 7°C higher compared to average summer temperatures now, with the potential to reach extreme temperatures as high as over 40°C with increasing frequency based on today’s values.

Impact 1

The ventilation system may not be able to maintain optimum temperatures within livestock housing.

Consider how this would impact on the animals, such as if increased risk of animal mortality is likely.

The mitigation for this could include a regular review to make sure ventilation is optimally maintained along with other measures, such as:

• installing additional cooling, such as a misting system
• installing gable end fans
• upgrading the insulation
• reducing the stocking density before the summer months
• with adequate notice from weather forecasters, adjusting the lighting so that livestock are fed when it is cooler (consulting with your veterinarian before you implement this measure)
• consulting with your veterinarian on management strategies to prevent heat stress

For further information see Heat Stress in Poultry - Solving the Problem

Impact 2

There could be an increased risk of fire in biomass feedstock store, straw store and agrochemicals store.

The mitigation for this would include:

• storing less material on the farm
• regularly checking stores
• liaising with the local fire and rescue service to help identify risk areas and carry out a site familiarisation exercise

Impact 3

There could there be an increased risk of flies and odour.

The mitigation for this could include:

• changing ventilation
• installing additional cooling system
• slurry acidification or slurry separation

Impact 4

There is a risk of feed ingredients heating and spoiling.

The mitigation could include:

• changing feed bins to ones painted in light colours
• changing galvanised steel feed silos to fibreglass silos
• managing feed deliveries and quantities to help feed move through silos quickly and avoid feed being left in bins for too long

Impact 5

There could be a risk of wildfires. These could spread into the site and damage buildings, risking staff safety and the livestock.

You could invite the local fire and rescue service to help identify risk areas as well as familiarise themselves with the access, layout and water points available should they need to attend a fire.

Impact 6

Increases in the occurrence and severity of animal diseases. This could be due to temperature changes which may allow viruses to survive for longer or for new vectors, such as insects, to live in our climate. This could lead to activities with potential environmental impacts such as carcass and wash water disposal.

The mitigation for this could include:

• keeping up to date with animal disease warnings in the farming press and subscribe to receive animal disease alerts, see APHA animal disease alert subscription service - GOV.UK for further information
• maintaining biosecurity measures, see Disease prevention for livestock and poultry keepers - GOV.UK for further information
• identifying alternative carcass disposal routes in case your usual route is not available or suitable

Winter daily temperatures

This could be 4°C more than the current average with the potential for more extreme temperatures, both warmer and colder than present.

Impact 1

There could there be potential benefits such as:

• less energy used to heat animal housing
• less risk of water freezing and damaging pipes

Or there could be an increased ventilation requirement through increased winter temperatures.

The mitigation for this could be to conduct a review of ventilation requirements.

Impact 2

Increased risk of pipework freezing leading to water shortage.

The mitigation for this could be to insulate or provide trace heating for exposed pipework.

Impact 3

Increased risk of snow and ice.

This could cause travel disruption with delays to deliveries, site access difficulties for staff and heavy snow damaging structures.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• have adequate feed storage capacity and stocks on site in winter to mitigate delays in feed deliveries
• make sure roofs and structures are well maintained to withstand heavy snow
• have equipment and materials available to clear snow and ice from the access to the site for delivery and staff vehicles

Daily extreme rainfall

Daily rainfall intensity could increase by up to 20% on today’s values.

Impact 1

Gutters may not be able to cope or could overflow.

The mitigation for this could include:

• clearing gutters of debris
• clearing roofs of moss
• changing guttering for larger gutters

Impact 2

Surface water drainage systems may not be able to cope with increased flows.

The mitigation for this could include:

• installing water storage or rainwater harvesting systems to off-set drier summers
• treating stored water to sufficient quality to use for livestock
• installing additional surface water drains

Impact 3

Increased flows of slurry to the slurry store could overwhelm its capacity.

The mitigation for this could include a review of storage capacity, considering:

• additional storage that could be needed
• making temporary storage available such as a slurry bag
• diverting yard runoff from slurry store

Impact 4

Risk to the design capacity of the slurry reception pit.

The mitigation for this could be to:

• install automatic pumps to reduce risk of overflow
• minimise the area of open concrete draining to the reception pit

Impact 5

Soakaways and swales could be overwhelmed.

The mitigation for this could be to install diverter valves to alternative areas.

Impact 6

Potential for increased site surface water and flooding leading to:

• power failure
• animal welfare issues
• disease incursion as water ingress can bring diseases into buildings
• infrastructure damage
• restrictions on site access for staff and emergency services

The mitigation for this would be to prepare a flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

This should include:

• identification and risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Impact 7

There is potential for contaminated floodwater and surface water run-off from the site to cause pollution.

The mitigation for this could include:

• making sure all chemicals are securely stored
• managing drainage systems, including any interceptors, to avoid uncontrolled release of pollutants

Impact 8

Foot dips will be diluted by additional rainwater and risk overflowing, becoming ineffective in the process.

The mitigation for this could be to change foot dips for dips with a cover to keep out rainwater.

Average winter rainfall

Average winter rainfall may increase by over 40% on today’s averages.

Impact 1

Potential for increased site surface water and flooding.

Mitigation for this would be to prepare a flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

This should include:

• identification and risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Impact 2

The surface water drainage system may not be able to cope with increased flows.

The mitigation for this could include:

• installing water storage or rainwater harvesting systems to off-set drier summers
• treating stored water to sufficient quality to use for livestock
• installing additional surface water drains

Impact 3

Land bank being inaccessible due to prolonged periods of heavy rain, leading to fields being at or above field capacity. This could lead to reduced land available for spreading manure or slurry.

The mitigation for this could be to identify:

• additional landbank for spreading
• alternative storage and disposal routes
• alternative waste treatment outlets such as anaerobic digestion

Sea level rise

Sea level rise which could be as much as 0.6m higher compared to today’s level.

Impact 1

If a site is located near the coast there is potential increased risk of flooding.

The mitigation for this would be to review flood defences around coastal sites and to produce a flood plan with reference to the guidance Preparing for flooding: A guide for sites regulated under EPR and COMAH.

This should include:

• identification and risk assessment of process equipment and services at greatest risk from flooding
• provision of emergency pumps to remove floodwater and identification of lowest risk location for discharge of floodwaters
• protection of control and electrical systems
• identification and protection of flat bottom tanks at risk of floating in floodwater

Impact 2

If located near the coast or an estuary, there is increased risk of fields being inaccessible or above field capacity, leading to reduced land availability for spreading manure or slurry.

The mitigation for this could be to identify:

• additional landbank for spreading
• alternative storage and disposal routes
• alternative outlets such as anaerobic digestion

Drier summers

Summers could see potentially up to 40% less rain than now.

Impact 1

Stress on groundwater supply, which may become unavailable for use on-farm for drinking water.

The mitigation for this could be to ensure a mains water supply is available as back-up.

Impact 2

Risk of disruption to the mains water supply for use on-farm for drinking water and cleaning out.

Mitigation for this could include:

• installation of winter storage reservoir and treatment system so water can be used on the farm
• investigation of the feasibility of a borehole for groundwater abstraction
• changing house cleaning technique to use less water, such as dry cleaning

River flow

The flow in the watercourses could be 50% more than now at its peak, and 80% less than now at its lowest.

Impact 1

Risk of on-farm flooding if the water level in the adjacent ditch rises above the discharge pipe, resulting in backflow to the farm.

The mitigation for this could include:

• raising the level of the discharge pipe to the ditch
• installing a non-return valve in the discharge pipe
• continuing drainage ditch maintenance

Storms

Storms could see a change in frequency and intensity. The unique combination of increased wind speeds, increased rainfall, and lightning during these events provides the potential for more extreme storm impacts.

Storms and high winds could damage building structures with increased potential for odour and dust emissions and loss of power.

The mitigation for this could include:

• reviewing the design of vulnerable structures and buildings
• reviewing wind loading calculations, providing reinforcement if necessary
• maintaining building integrity
• having well maintained emergency backup power
• keeping the site tidy and secure any equipment or objects that could blow around