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Farming Today: Environment Agency pollution investigations, history of ploughing, Brexit and Ireland

10/03/2017

Environment Agency pollution investigations, history of ploughing, Brexit and Ireland

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Environment Agency pollution investigations, history of ploughing, Brexit and Ireland

The Angling Trust says Environment Agency cuts mean delays in pollution prosecutions.

The Angling Trust says pollution prosecutions are taking too long. The Irish Farmers Union say Brexit is forcing some farmers out of business.

Last summer pollution to the River Leadon resulted in the death of fifteen thousand fish. The Environment Agency described it as one of the worst incidents in the county and launched an investigation. However, eight months later the agency say they are still unable to give any further information on the case. Anglers say the Environment Agency is increasingly unable to investigate or prosecute incidents of river pollution. The Angling Trust tells Farming Today it may sue the polluter but needs to gather the necessary evidence from the EA first.  It says the agency hasn't got enough resources and is too often applying a light touch approach to prosecutions. In response the EA say their prosecutions have a good success rate because they take the time to prepare the most robust case possible.

The Farming Minister George Eustice has told MPs that he doesn't yet know how much of agricultural policy will be devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland once we leave the European Union. As we've reported it's a matter of much debate, with devolved administrations wanting to hold onto the powers they currently have and to absorb more once we leave the Common Agricultural Policy. There is particular concern on both sides of the border in Ireland where complex supply chains will need to cross from North to South. This week George Eustice told MPs on the Environment Food and Rural Affiars Committe that DEFRA is looking to other countries with cross border supply chains for inspiration. But cross border issues aren't the only worry for Irish farmers - those in the South say the Brexit effect has already kicked in and is costing them money. The president of the Irish Farmers Union Joe Healey tells Farming Today that the impact of Brexit on Irish farmers can't be underestimated.

There are plenty of modern gadgets and technology about today, for farmers to hanker after - but there's one agricultural tool that's been around since the days of oxen and Clydesdales, that they still rely on: and that's the plough. Nancy Nicholson visits world champion ploughman Andrew Mitchell.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Emily Hughes.

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