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Farming Today: 08/06/22 - Combining solar panels with food production, and Welsh agricultural policy

08/06/22 - Combining solar panels with food production, and Welsh agricultural policy

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 08/06/22 - Combining solar panels with food production, and Welsh agricultural policy

Can solar panels be combined with commercial fruit production?

Can flexible solar panels draped over polytunnels mean the same land can produce green electricity as well as soft fruit?

The trade-off between the push for more green energy and the need to grow food can drive division, but future disputes may be diffused if a new way of using photovoltaics on farms is taken up. A team of researchers from University of Greenwich are trialling the use of transparent solar panels on the walls of glasshouses, and also flexible panels on poly tunnels, to see if it's feasible for growers to generate their own electricity AND their usual fruit crop. 

And farming leaders in Wales have said disruption to food supplies caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine should trigger a rethink of how agricultural subsidies are being reformed there. Agriculture is devolved, and now we’ve left the EU, the Welsh Government plans to offer funding in future for delivering environmental outcomes. It’s set to unveil its new scheme this summer, followed by a Welsh Agriculture Bill in September.  But NFU Cymru said there was a risk of widespread land use change - and more of a focus on food production was needed - as it set out its calls to politicians at an event in the Senedd this week.  

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

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