Farming Today This Week

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Farming Today: 18/04/20 - Farming Today This Week

18/04/20 - Farming Today This Week

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 18/04/20 - Farming Today This Week

Labour shortages, wasted milk and finding solace on social media.

Charlotte Smith investigates how farming is being impacted by the coronavirus, from labour shortages to wasted milk. She also find peace and entertainment online.

The Government is expected to launch a campaign asking people to PICK FOR BRITAIN over the next few weeks, as vegetable farmers worry there won't be enough seasonal workers coming over from Eastern Europe this year to bring in the harvest. Around 30,000 British people have so far registered their interest in working on farms this summer. But growers usually employ about 70,000 seasonal workers, and chartered flights are still bringing farm workers into the UK from Romania. So will it be enough? 

A dairy farmers continue to pour milk away down the drain, the government has announced it's relaxing competition laws to allow dairy processors to work together. The market for milk has been hit as the closure of cafes, coffee shops and restaurants has reduced demand.

Government help to support charities through the COVID 19 crisis is being criticised by the rural body, ACRE,which says some small, local charities won’t survive without better, more targeted help.

And, as many of us are stuck inside for most or all of the time, can social media be a source of escapism? We hear from two farmers whose videos of the great outdoors are being devoured online.

Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced by Heather Simons

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