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Farming Today: Defra Brexit plans, the scent of spring, sky lantern ban, wildlife warning

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Defra Brexit plans, the scent of spring, sky lantern ban, wildlife warning

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Defra Brexit plans, the scent of spring, sky lantern ban, wildlife warning

Michael Gove addresses no-deal contingency planning for Northern Ireland farmers.

Defra Secretary Michael Gove is quizzed on the government's plans to support Northern Ireland's agri-food sector in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

While nothing is cut-and-dried yet when it comes to Brexit, the government does seem to be developing contingency plans that would support the hardest-hit farmers, in the event of a no-deal. Speaking to MPs on the the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee yesterday, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said Northern Ireland's food producers would be particularly affected if we leave the EU without a deal - and that contingencies were being discussed with the devolved nations.
Charlotte hears more from the EFRA session.

As Farming Today continues with its spring focus this week, we ask how you really know when spring has arrived? 
According to researchers, it's through smell: specifically, the earthy aroma from the soil, which becomes most noticeable when spring showers have added a bit of moisture to the earth and temperatures start to warm up.
Anna Hill went for a walk with Professor Mark Butner from the John Innes Centre - who's been researching how this seasonal smell is generated.

A proposal to ban sky lanterns went before parliament yesterday, put forward by the MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, Ruth George, who's concerned about the fire risk they represent. Ms George's ten-minute rule bill is unlikely to become law at this stage, but she tells Charlotte that she has support right across parliament - as well as from organisations such as the RSPCA and the National Farmers Union; so is hopeful of getting it added to the Environment Bill in future.

A new short animation is bringing together badger, ratty, mole and toad in a cinematic trailer imagining a modern version of Wind in the Willows, as pictured by The Wildlife Trusts. The star-studded trailer, released today, aims to draw attention to the plight of wildlife and nature across the UK; and portrays the rather bleak conditions Kenneth Graham's characters could expect to encounter, if they ventured into the countryside today. The Wildlife Trusts says the UK is "one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world", and hopes this will act as a call-to-action for the public and policy-makers.
Charlotte speaks to the Trusts' CEO, Stephanie Hilborne.

Presented by Charlotte Smith - produced by Lucy Taylor.

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