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Farming Today: Sheep worrying, Rural bus routes, Disused oil rigs

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14/02/2017

Sheep worrying, Rural bus routes, Disused oil rigs

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Sheep worrying, Rural bus routes, Disused oil rigs

Insurers say the cost of dog attacks on livestock could hit almost £1.5 million a year.

The cost of sheep worrying has doubled according to NFU Mutual. Plus cuts to rural bus services and environmentalists are split over the best way to deal with disused oil rigs.

Dog attacks on sheep could be putting a financial strain on farmers after figures point to a rise in insurance claims from livestock owners. NFU Mutual says sheep worrying is at record levels and the full cost to the industry could be approaching £1.5 million. 
The loss of bus services in rural areas has been a concern for decades but could routes run and funded by the users be the way forward? In some places community transport schemes are filling the gap left by councils or bus companies and already they account for 8 million journeys a year. 
As oil rigs in the North Sea come to the end of their useful life, environmental groups are divided over what should happen to the huge structures. Some want them removed from the waters off the coast of Scotland while others say leaving them could actually benefit the eco-system. 
Presented by Sybil Ruscoe.
Produced by Vernon Harwood.

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