Farming Today

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Farming Today: 01/02/2023 - Land Use report; Potatoes; Oil central heating.

01/02/2023 - Land Use report; Potatoes; Oil central heating.

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 01/02/2023 - Land Use report; Potatoes; Oil central heating.

Royal Society Land Use Report; help for potato farmers; and rural heating bills.

A report into land use says more data is needed to reach targets on food and the environment; increases in payments for farmers to keep them growing spuds; and homes dependent on oil for heating.

A major report into land use by the Royal Society warns the government not to 'over promise' what the countryside can deliver. It says government ambitions to use our land to boost food production, protect nature and fight climate change may not be achieved because of disjointed policy-making and a lack of robust data. We speak to Sir Ian Boyd,  professor of Biology at the University of St Andrews who contributed to the report.

Some potato growers have stopped growing spuds because of soaring costs and difficult weather. Oven chip manufacturer McCain has increased its payments to potato growers to ensure future supplies. The processor is the largest buyer of British potatoes and works with more than 250 growers, buying up to 15 per cent of the UK's annual crop. It's investing £35 million in its farmers this year and paying a supplement to those who’ve had to renew electricity contracts or are paying variable rates, totalling £50 million in two years. 

All this week we're looking at the cost of living and rural poverty. In rural areas, many homes aren't connected to the gas network, so depend on oil for heating - according to the Countryside Alliance more than half of rural homes are not on the gas grid, compared to just one in ten urban properties. We hear from a charity which helps households who are struggling to pay their fuel bills.

Presenter: Anna Hill
Producer: Rebecca Rooney

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01/02/2023 - Land Use report; Potatoes; Oil central heating.

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