date:Dec 20, 2013
ll even further than had been previously estimated, thanks to a dismal autumn sowings period.
The persistent rains in 2012, the second wettest year on record for the UK, after devastating the quality of that year's harvest prevented farmers from working fields to prepare for this year's crop.
'Very difficult conditions'
The downgrade reflects the very difficult planting conditions over the winter which led to a 19% decrease in the planted area, Defra said, trimming by 11,000 hectares to 1.62m