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Farming Today: 28/02/2022 Vet shortages, 5G dairy, Belfast food producers

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28/02/2022 Vet shortages, 5G dairy, Belfast food producers

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 28/02/2022 Vet shortages, 5G dairy, Belfast food producers

Vet shortages, hi-tech dairy herd, and artisan food producers in Belfast.

Brexit and Covid have lead to big shortages of vets. The dairy cows with sensors in their stomachs. Artisan food warehouse in Belfast.

Brexit and Covid are being blamed for a big fall in the number of European vets registering to work in the UK over the past two years. The British Veterinary Association says that’s contributing to what it calls a ‘crisis in the workforce’ . The annual number of registrants coming to work in the UK has fallen by 68 per cent, from 1132 in 2019 to 364 in 2021. The BVA says this, coupled with more demand for vets to complete post-Brexit checks and certifications, and a rise in pet ownership under lockdown, is causing problems. 

A herd of dairy cows in Staffordshire has been connected to the internet. Every animal has swallowed a sensor which continually updates the farmer on their health. Sick animals can be spotted before they actually get ill, saving on medicine and vet bills.

A new  artisan food centre has recently opened in a derelict warehouse in the former Strand Mill in East Belfast. It already houses a mushroom-growing and cheese-making business, but it's called, the Banana Block - we find out why.

Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

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