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Farming Today

Farming Today

BBC Radio 4

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

2554 - 28/03/24 - Scottish salmon exports, basalt dust and flax fishing nets
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  • 2554 - 28/03/24 - Scottish salmon exports, basalt dust and flax fishing nets

    Farmed salmon was the UK’s most valuable food export in 2023, according to the HMRC, with £581 million pounds worth of international sales. But Scotland’s salmon farmers reckon they could have made far more, and that Brexit has cost them up to £100 million a year worth of exports.

    Flax is grown commercially to produce fabrics like linen in the Netherlands, Belgium and Northern France and it was once common in fields around the UK too, but not any more. However, some small-scale flax producers are passionate about its potential and feel it could, once again, have a commercial future. We visit Simon and Ann Cooper who grow flax and use traditional methods and home-made tools to process it into fabrics for things like sailcloth and fishing nets.

    And new research suggests spreading basalt dust on arable fields could help capture carbon and boost yields. The process is known as ‘enhanced rock weathering’ and uses a by-product of the road-building industry.

    Presented by Caz Graham Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

    Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • 2553 - 27/03/24 - ELMs change, leather and otters

    The Government is placing a 25% cap on the amount of land farmers can take out of food production, and put aside for certain environmental schemes. Farmers can be paid for environmental actions - like growing seed for wild birds - as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, or SFI, which is replacing the old EU farm subsidies in England. Now, new applicants who choose a selection out of 6 of the schemes, will only be able to put a total of 25% of their land into them. The new cap comes after some raised concerns around our food security - winter flooding and the high cost of fertiliser has made growing food more expensive....and after the Government increased payments for environmental schemes in January, more farmers took them up.

    Centuries ago, leather production would have gone hand in hand with animal husbandry in the UK, but now animal hides are very low value - and seen by many as a waste product. There are just a handful of tanneries left in the UK for processing hides into leather. We meet a farmer whose starting the fight back.

    And wildlife experts say recent river flooding could be putting otters at risk. Strong currents can wash away cubs and high water levels can flood their river bank homes, or holts.

    Presented by Anna Hill Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

    Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • 2552 - 26/03/24 - London farmer protests, Scottish herring and hempcrete

    Farmers have been gathering in London's Parliament Square to protest about what they feel is a lack of support for British food production. Organisers said they have three demands: first, a ban on what they see as 'dishonest' labelling where food imported and processed in Britain can be labelled as British; second, they want the UK to withdraw from the Australian and New Zealand Trade Deals; and third, they want a clear plan for 'food security'.

    Herring used to be a mainstay of communities up and down the west coast of Scotland. In the early 1900s Scotland was producing 2 million barrels of herring a year, but by the 60s and 70s, stocks of herring had been over-fished and collapsed. Since then, they've struggled to return, but a huge new spawning ground has been spotted by satellite.

    And, hemp has traditionally been used to make hardwearing textiles - things like ropes and canvas for sails. But it can also be used to build houses using a material called hempcrete! Film-maker, Steve Barron, who's best known for directing music videos, bought some farmland back in 2017, and decided to "grow his own home".

    Presented by Anna Hill Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

    Tue, 26 Mar 2024
  • 2551 - 25/03/24 The value of British wool; septic tank crisis.

    Why is wool so worthless for farmers? The price they get for a fleece barely covers the cost of shearing. And septic tanks in Cornwall in crisis because of wet weather.

    Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

    Mon, 25 Mar 2024
  • 2550 - 23/03/24 - Farming Today This Week: Universal credit, grouse moor licencing and shellfish

    Some farmers who already rely on state benefits are being told they need to look for paid work and ditch their farm businesses if they want to continue receiving those benefits. It’s happening because of changes in the way welfare is delivered, so farmers on Tax Credits are now being switched to Universal Credit. But eligibility for Universal Credit is calculated using monthly income and expenditure, which doesn’t sit well with very seasonal farm businesses.

    The Wildlife and Muirburn Bill has passed through the Scottish Parliament and brings in the licensing of grouse shoots, banning animal snares and changing the rules on the burning of heather. For the RSPB it's game changing legislation, for gamekeepers a disproportionate response.

    And how sustainable is our scampi? The UK gets through around £68 million worth of scampi a year. But a conservation group says the current drive to make fishing for langoustine more environmentally friendly has failed.

    Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

    Sat, 23 Mar 2024
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