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Farming Today: Welsh lamb, farm innovation, flooding fears and Caerphilly cheese

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08/02/2018

Welsh lamb, farm innovation, flooding fears and Caerphilly cheese

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Welsh lamb, farm innovation, flooding fears and Caerphilly cheese

Charlotte Smith hears about fears for the future of Welsh lamb.

How Brexit could change the face of Welsh sheep farming, cash help for investing in new technology, Northern Ireland flooding and recognition for Caerphilly cheese.

There are serious concerns about the fortunes of the sheep industry in Wales after Brexit. Around 40% of Welsh lamb is exported, much of it to Europe, and any tariffs on trade across the channel will have a dramatic impact according to the levy organisation Meat Promotion Wales. 

Farmers wanting to invest in new technology can now bid for Whitehall money to help buy the latest innovative machinery. £15 million of EU funding is available as part of a small grants scheme which DEFRA Minister George Eustice hopes will improve productivity on farms in England.

The political situation in Northern Ireland is causing worries for farmers who say there's been a lack of help and leadership since the collapse of the Stormont government. Some fields have been waterlogged since the summer and decisions on future flood alleviation schemes have been delayed pending the restoration of devolved government. 

Cheese-lovers are celebrating the news that Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese has been awarded special European food name status. After a four year campaign, it now receives legal protection against imitation and in future can carry the PGI logo (Protected Geographical Indication). 

Presented by Charlotte Smith.
Produced by Vernon Harwood.

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