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Farming Today: The Cost of Farming, Welsh Shellfish, Scottish Barley and Farm Buildings.

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29/03/2018

The Cost of Farming, Welsh Shellfish, Scottish Barley and Farm Buildings.

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, The Cost of Farming, Welsh Shellfish, Scottish Barley and Farm Buildings.

Anna Hill asks how farmers can balance the books as agricultural costs rise.

Farming inflation, Welsh fishing, whisky industry farmers and traditional buildings in National Parks.

Farmers are being advised to "get their businesses fit" after figures suggest that agricultural costs have increased by twice the rate of inflation over the last six months. The buying cooperative AF, formerly Anglia Farmers, says the highest rise was in fertilisers which went up nearly 17%. 

Fishing crews in West Wales claim their industry won't exist in three years from now unless lucrative scallop grounds are opened up. Fishing is restricted in Cardigan Bay which is a designated Special Area of Conservation and a popular place for spotting bottlenose dolphins.

As the UK Government considers how farming and food producers can contribute to better public health, Farming Today turns attention on Scotch whisky. The industry is worth £5 billion to the UK economy every year and 90% is exported. But where would a new system of 'public money for public benefit' leave the industry? 

Two million pounds is being offered to restore historic farm buildings in five National Parks. The grant scheme is launched by DEFRA this morning and is being piloted in the Dartmoor, Lake District, Northumberland, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. 

Presented by Anna Hill.
Produced by Vernon Harwood.

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The Cost of Farming, Welsh Shellfish, Scottish Barley and Farm Buildings.

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