Farming Today

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

BBC Radio 4 FM

Farming Today: 19/11/20 - Tree planting targets, Cancelled mistletoe auction, Farm antibiotic use and New Forest pigs

farming today_ thursday_pigs_0109_e_el.jpg

19/11/20 - Tree planting targets, Cancelled mistletoe auction, Farm antibiotic use and New Forest pigs

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 19/11/20 - Tree planting targets, Cancelled mistletoe auction, Farm antibiotic use and New Forest pigs

Will the government's tree planting targets for England be met?

The UK is not meeting tree planting targets and the forestry body Confor wants an urgent review of the system for tree planting applications and approvals.

The government has set a target of 30,000 hectares of new woodland planted across the UK every year by 2025. But currently less than 14,000 are being planted annually, mostly in Scotland. This has prompted Confor - which represents those working in the industry - to call for an urgent review of the system for tree planting applications and approvals. We visit Doddington North - the largest new productive forest planted in England in the last 30 years. 

The biggest traditional auction of mistletoe is being cancelled for the first time in 160 years. It's fallen victim to COVID restrictions and a lack of demand this year. 

New lower targets for the amount of antibiotics farmers use in livestock and birds have been set. The UK has halved the number of antibiotics used on farms since targets were introduced in 2017, and now has the 5th lowest usage in Europe. Charlotte Smith speaks to RUMA - the Responsible Use of Medicine in Agriculture Alliance - about the aim to further reduce usage by 2024, particularly in pig farming, calf rearing and gamebirds. 

And finally, how far does a pig wander? Satellite tracking is being used to find out how far pigs roam when they're released in the New Forest for the Pannage Season. 

Presented by Charlotte Smith
Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Farming Today

19/11/20 - Tree planting targets, Cancelled mistletoe auction, Farm antibiotic use and New Forest pigs

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4