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Farming Today: 24/09/21 - George Eustice on labour and food prices, slurry bags and farming succulents

24/09/21 - George Eustice on labour and food prices, slurry bags and farming succulents

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 24/09/21 - George Eustice on labour and food prices, slurry bags and farming succulents

George Eustice says increased fuel costs and labour shortages mean food prices will rise.

Charlotte Smith speaks to the Environment Secretary, George Eustice, about labour shortages, food prices and where the new Trade and Agriculture Commission is.

Food prices will inevitably rise as a result of the increasing costs farmers and food producers are facing - the Environment Secretary George Eustice says that’s ‘undeniable’. He acknowledges that the rising price of gas, CO2 and labour - coupled with a shortage of haulage drivers and workers in both farming and food processing - is causing problems for the food supply chain. Charlotte Smith asks what the Government is doing.

Slurry is an important fertiliser on farms across the UK, but it also has the potential to cause pollution - both in the air and in rivers. The rules on how, where and when muck is stored and spread are getting stricter. For example, within 6 years all slurry stores in England must be covered, and we've been taking a look at a new "slurry bag", which could be part of the solution.

And we visit a farm on the Isles of Scilly where they've changed tack from growing cut flowers to succulents.

Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced in Bristol by Heather Simons

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24/09/21 - George Eustice on labour and food prices, slurry bags and farming succulents

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