Some changes are already evident to farmers; however, it is not the thermometer they are most concerned with but the rain gauge. As pointed out by the CLA: 'Annual rainfall figures haven't changed, but the distribution has become much more erratic, with many more severe events'.

It is this erratic availability of water that will have disastrous effects on crop yields - both quality and quantity.

Despite the potentially huge impact of climate change upon agriculture, people such as Michael Sayer of the County Landowners Association (CLA), are quick to point out that it is unlikely that these changes will ever turn the loam of Norfolk, into the south facing stony slopes so suitable for sustaining vines in the south of France.

This counters the assessment that crop types will simply move northwards as agriculture adapts to a changing global temperature.

Agriculture has huge historical significance for both the economy and communities of Norfolk. It is a credit to the sector's adaptive capacity that it remains such a large part of Norfolk life today.

But what of its adaptive capacity in the future? Accepting that climate change is happening, the agricultural community in Norfolk is increasingly encouraging debate on the issue, notably through a recent CLA conference on climate change held in conjunction with UEA. However it is acknowledged that many within the agricultural community still have to come to grips with it.