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Farming Today: 18/12/20 - Phosphates in the River Wye, drive-in carols and New Red Tractor Chair

18/12/20 - Phosphates in the River Wye, drive-in carols and New Red Tractor Chair

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 18/12/20 - Phosphates in the River Wye, drive-in carols and New Red Tractor Chair

Over 60% of the River Wye is in breach of new phosphate pollution standards.

Natural Resources Wales says any new development in the catchment of the River Wye must be either phosphate neutral or better, to try to reduce pollution.

Over 60% of the River Wye is in breach of new phosphate pollution standards according to a new report from Natural Resources Wales. It says any new development in the river’s catchment area will have to be either phosphate neutral or better. The report comes after algal blooms turned sections of the Wye green in the summer - campaigners blamed a proliferation of poultry farms in the area, but NRW tells us that's not the biggest problem.

We meet one Essex arable farmer who's doing his bit to maintain the Christmas spirit in the face of COVID this weekend by welcoming 400 car loads of people onto the farm for a drive in carol service.

And Red Tractor has a new driver! We speak to Christine Tacon, who will take over in January as Chair of the farm assurance scheme - which covers 46,000 British farmers. Christine Tacon is the former Groceries Code Adjudicator and before that ran the Co-Ops farms. She also chairs the BBC’s Rural Affairs Committee. 

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

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