Rome June 30, (dpa/GNA) – Italy’s harvest may be damaged by the ongoing drought, an agricultural association warned on Tuesday, as the country records temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius and insufficient rainfall nationwide.
The weather has dried out the soil, scorched fruit and vegetables and has caused stress and discomfort to livestock, according to the Coldiretti agricultural association.
Corn, soybeans, cereals and tomatoes have all been affected, the group said.
The higher temperatures are also contributing to the spread of pests in fields, they said.
Drought is one of the worst environmental problems facing Italy and annually causes damage of around 1 billion euros (1.18 billion dollars), according to Coldiretti.
Meanwhile Italy is not storing enough rainwater, according to agricultural representatives, who say of 300 billion cubic metres that fall every year, only 11 per cent is captured.
GNA