UK farmers allowed to take more water from rivers as heatwave continues

Environment secretary holds drought summit with farmers to address series issues of crop failure and lack of fodder for animals

Farmers will be allowed to take up more groundwater to irrigate parched crops during the ongoing heatwave, after a "drought summit" between farming leaders and the environment secretary, Michael Gove.

Farmers have suffered in the heat, with crops wilting or failing to reach their full size, and livestock running short of grass and fodder. Prices on some foods are already increasing, and price rises may be necessary for some staple goods later in the year, with the next few months crucial for the harvest.