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Farming Today: Russian export ban, Lairg sheep sale, Tree of the Year

15/08/2014

Russian export ban, Lairg sheep sale, Tree of the Year

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Russian export ban, Lairg sheep sale, Tree of the Year

Sybil Ruscoe looks at the effect the Russian trade sanctions are having on UK farmers.

What effect is the political fall-out between Russia and the West having on food producers in the UK? Sybil Ruscoe finds out.

The "tit for tat" trade sanctions between Russia and the West have meant that UK food businesses are facing increasing pressure, as foreign producers seek alternative markets for the goods Moscow won't now accept. The fear for farmers is that what used to go East may now come to the UK, and slash prices. Meanwhile British businesses have lost a valuable new market. Sybil Ruscoe talks to a cheesemaker and a spokesman from the National Beef Association, to find out how they see the future.

Nancy Nicholson is at the Lairg lamb sale, where buyers from all over Britain head north to snap up the hardy little lambs for breeding or fattening up for the spring markets. The number of lambs on sale has halved in the last 20 years, but now there are hopes numbers could be recovering.

And have you got a favourite tree? If so, the Woodland Trust wants to hear from you. They've just launched their hunt for England's "Tree of the Year".

Presented by Sybil Ruscoe and produced by Emma Campbell.

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