Data from Centre for Ecology and Hydrology showed last month's deluges, which delayed harvesting efforts and caused flooding in parts of the UK, continued the year’s trend for record wetness.

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Following the release on Friday (12th October) of last month's Hydrological Summary, CEH said of the effects of September's rainfall, "River flows climbed rapidly in the fourth week and floodplain inundations were very widespread… in many rivers flows remained close to, or above, bankfull for a week or more." The centre said river outflows caused by the excessive rainfall were at their second highest since 1968 and "the associated extensive flooding provided a dramatic climax to the wettest summer half-year (April-September) on record for the UK."

CEH said that reservoir stocks are also exceptionally high, commenting current levels are "remarkable for the early autumn." CEH spokesperson Terry Marsh added, "Groundwater levels are above the early autumn mean but remain depressed in some of the slower-responding aquifers. However, the water resources outlook is far healthier than could have been envisaged during the early spring of 2012."

Although prospects for water availability look much better than had been predicted at the beginning of the year, which most of England entered in a state of drought, the effects of this year’s poor weather are still causing concern for farmers.

At the beginning of the week the Cooperative group announced that it would be relaxing its standards on 'outgraded' produce in recognition of the tough summer conditions many farmers had to face and the effects on fruit and vegetables. Smaller, blemished or oddly shaped produce will be accepted, which the Cooperative has said is an example of its commitment to support British farmers.

However, food campaigners have said that, in the interest of sustainability and greening the food supply chain, this should be common practice. Food campaigner Tristram Stuart said "What we are seeing is an informal relaxation of the rules during a poor harvest, but supermarkets should be doing this every year."

Although some crops weathered the adverse summer well, wheat yields are below the five year average and quality is way down. Farming organisations have said farmers did well to escape the worst effects of the bad weather and harvest what they could, but wheat yields are at their lowest for almost 30 years, with weights at their lowest since 1977. As a result of the wet, cold and dim conditions, the UK is expected to become a net importer of wheat in 2012.

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