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Farming Today: 05/11/2013

05/11/2013

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 05/11/2013

Spanish lettuces labelled with the British Red Tractor logo - what went wrong?

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside, presented by Anna Hill. Spanish lettuces labelled with the British Red Tractor logo - what went wrong?

The Red Tractor scheme, which certifies products marked with its logo can be traced back to British farms, has been caught out over the labelling of lettuces. A shopper found two packets of little gem lettuce in a Co-op store carrying the Red Tractor logo - and the Union Jack - but marked as "produce of Spain". It turned out the lettuce was, indeed, Spanish. David Clarke, chief executive of the Red Tractor scheme, tells Anna Hill it's an isolated incident that should not overshadow the millions of correctly labelled British Farm Assured products.

What's the secret to scooping gold at the next Olympics? Cow colostrum apparently. The milk produced by cows in the few days after giving birth is well known for its immune boosting properties. But in recent years bovine colostrum has taken on more medical importance for humans, particularly among athletes. Dr Elise Gomes from Edinburgh Napier University is researching whether drinking it could protect the lungs from the effects of air pollution. She tells Anna how it might come in very handy in Rio in 2016.And our theme this week is tenant farming. Caz Graham heads to Grasmere in the Lake District where Will and Em Benson have managed to secure the tenancy of a 270 acre hill farm. To improve their chances Will took part in a training programme called the Fresh Start Uplands Academy. Caz finds out how their first three weeks have gone - and helps out with a bit of dry stone walling.

Presented by Anna Hill and produced in Bristol by Anna Jones.

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