British hops declining due to low demand

[nateo]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/oct/08/british-beer-makers-fight-foreign-hops

I thought this was an interesting article.

"At the industry's peak in 1872, British hop farmers grew around 72,000 acres of the perennial climbing plant, but demand has decreased to the point that last year only 2,500 acres were grown. The only major hop-growing regions now are Hereford and Worcester and Kent. Despite this, the UK is at the forefront of efforts to develop new varieties – including dwarf or hedgerow plants thought to be more sustainable than higher climbing hops – and the revival of old ones. The hedgerow hops cost less to grow, can be picked by machine, are more resistant to disease and require lower chemical inputs. "

[hopfenundmalz]

This is not new news, the Kent growing region is under pressure from housing. Acres have been going down for a long time.