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Farming Today: 15/03/22 - Red Tractor standards, Gressingham ducks, inflated costs and farming mental health

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15/03/22 - Red Tractor standards, Gressingham ducks, inflated costs and farming mental health

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 15/03/22 - Red Tractor standards, Gressingham ducks, inflated costs and farming mental health

Should Red Tractor be doing more to encourage farmers to cut pesticide use?

Conservation groups say the Red Tractor scheme is not doing enough to encourage farmers to cut pesticide use and protect the environment.

A group of conservation charities have criticised the Red Tractor standards scheme for failing to set targets to encourage farmers to reduce pesticide use, and take up more environmentally friendly farming techniques. The Nature Friendly Farming Network, along with the RSPB and the Pesticide Action Network UK say Red Tractor, which certifies standards on animal welfare and the environment is failing farmers, consumers, and the environment. 

This year has been the worst so far for avian flu - there have been more than a hundred outbreaks, several of those among commercial duck flocks. Anna Hill visits a farm that supplied the largest branded duck producers in the country - Gressingham. They produce nearly 200 thousand birds a week across the country, raised indoors across 52 farms.

The CEO of 2 Sisters, a major processor of poultry and chilled food, is warning that the cost of their products could rise by up to 15% this year. Behind that increase is the cost to livestock farmers of animal feed and heating and for arable farmers there’s also been a hike in the price of fertiliser, and fuel for tractors. 

And we hear from hill farmer and Welsh television presenter, Alun Elidyr who has made a documentary about his struggle with mental health. Back in 2015 he had a breakdown, following the sudden death of his mother. He sought help from several organisations, but found the most comfort from friends and neighbouring farmers who lent a listening ear.

Presented by Anna Hill
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

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15/03/22 - Red Tractor standards, Gressingham ducks, inflated costs and farming mental health

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