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Farming Today: 05/03/20 Red diesel tax, Trespass laws, Fat-tailed sheep, Scottish agriculture post-Brexit

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05/03/20 Red diesel tax, Trespass laws, Fat-tailed sheep, Scottish agriculture post-Brexit

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 05/03/20 Red diesel tax, Trespass laws, Fat-tailed sheep, Scottish agriculture post-Brexit

Farmers are angry at the idea that the current tax break on red diesel could be scrapped.

Reports that the government could scrap the tax break currently available on red diesel have angered farming groups. Charlotte Smith talks to the Tenant Farmers Association.

Farming groups have reacted angrily to reports that the Chancellor could scrap the subsidy on red diesel in next week's budget. They are currently allowed to use red diesel to run agricultural machinery and off-road vehicles. It attracts a duty of 11 pence a litre compared with nearly 58 pence for standard diesel used by motorists and hauliers. Charlotte Smith asks what this would mean for farming businesses.

New government proposals to strengthen police powers against trespass have left countryside campaign groups worried. The Home Office has been consulting on plans to make intentional trespass a criminal offence. Opponents say this could criminalise ordinary people visiting the countryside.

The Rural Economy Committee of the Scottish Parliament is calling for a 'sunset clause' in the Scottish Agriculture Bill, to make sure that ministers can't endlessly delay introducing a long term rural policy after the end of the Brexit transition period. 

We hear about plans to introduce a new breed of sheep in Wales. Damaras are a type of fat-tailed sheep, which are bred mainly in Arabic countries for their meat. Now a group of agricultural experts in Anglesey believe they’re the first in the UK to import embryos and semen with the hope of breeding them this spring.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Emma Campbell.

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