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Farming Today: Farming Today This Week

Farming Today This Week

21/12/2013

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Farming Today This Week

Sybil Ruscoe explores the world of smallholding.

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside. Serious farming or playing around? Sybil Ruscoeheads to Worcestershire to uncover the truth about smallholdings.

Serious farming or just playing around? Sybil Ruscoe heads to Worcestershire and explores the realities of smallholding. Kate Daniels left a top job as a management consultant in London to become a full-time smallholder - and has made a thriving business out of rearing pigs, sheep and chickens. She shows Sybil around the farm and enrols her help in packing the Christmas boxes. As they pile up the turkey, gammon, pork pies and 'pigs in blankets', Sybil finds out why Kate loves life on the land. They're also joined by Rob Jeffery, a dairy farmer turned consultant who helps 'townies' make a living in the countryside.

And we look at the politics too. As part of the recent reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy, smallholders with fewer than five hectares - that's about 12 acres - are now excluded from claiming Single Farm Payment. It will rule out 16,000 claimants who used to receive subsidy on as little as one hectare. But does it matter? Getting rid of tiny claims will, the Government says, save time and money. Sybil puts that point to Tim Tyne, a smallholder based in Wales. He believes size shouldn't be the deciding factor on who gets subsidies.

Presented by Sybil Ruscoe and produced by Anna Jones.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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