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Farming Today: First Milk, Rural fuel, Pesticides

16/01/2015

First Milk, Rural fuel, Pesticides

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, First Milk, Rural fuel, Pesticides

The chairman of First Milk assures farmers it is a business with a long-term future.

The chairman of dairy co-operative First Milk meets farmers in Wales to assure them that the business is still solvent and does have a long-term future. Charlotte Smith presents.

The future of the dairy co-operative First Milk has been in question since the business announced a delay to its payment to farmers, and an increase in farmer contributions, in order to avoid increased borrowing. When First Milk's chairman, Sir Jim Paice, met farmers in Pembrokeshire, he assured them that the business is still solvent and does have a long-term future. We hear why.

A European consultation on 'endocrine disruptors' ends today. They are chemicals which have an effect on the functioning of the hormonal system of humans or animals, and include some pesticides. Depending on the conclusions of the consultation, farmers say up to forty products could be taken off the market. Charlotte Smith talks to a campaigner who believes the current system doesn't offer rural residents adequate protection from harmful chemicals.

And some of the UK's most rural communities could be entitled to tax break on fuel, under a government scheme. The idea, which got European Commission approval yesterday, could mean a reduction of up to five pence a litre for people living in selected areas of Cumbria, Devon, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, and the Highlands of Scotland. Charlotte asks Defra minister Dan Rogerson how it would work.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Emma Campbell.

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