Farming Today This Week

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Farming Today: 16/05/20 - Farming Today This Week

16/05/20 - Farming Today This Week

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 16/05/20 - Farming Today This Week

The Agriculture Bill passes through the House of Commons and trade talks continue with the USA. What does it mean for farming?

The Agriculture Bill has been passed through the House of Commons this week and is is now heading to the House of Lords for consideration. It’s a contentious bill for many reasons, and it’s the biggest shake up in food and farming since the 1940s. The Bill sets out the transition from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, the CAP, which pays farmers directly based on how much land they farm - to a new system in the UK where farmers will be paid public money only for the public goods they provide. That’s things like preventing flooding and improving the environment. Agriculture policy is devolved, so the changes will be a bit different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Charlotte Smith hears feedback from farmers and grills the Secretary of State for DEFRA.

Meanwhile, virtual trade talks continued with the USA this week and concerns remain in the agricultural and environmental lobbies that UK farming standards won't be protected. The concern is cheaper food produced to lower standards will be imported from the US, undercutting British products that have to comply with stricter rules on things like animal welfare and the environment. Charlotte Smith speaks to the US Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue.

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Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced by Heather Simons

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