Farming Today

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Farming Today: 08/11/23 Landuse to prevent floods, bird flu on the Isle of Lewis, green prescribing

08/11/23 Landuse to prevent floods, bird flu on the Isle of Lewis, green prescribing

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 08/11/23 Landuse to prevent floods, bird flu on the Isle of Lewis, green prescribing

Should farmers be paid to allow floodwaters to be kept on land, instead of growing food?

Should farmers now be paid to allow floodwaters to be kept on some land, instead of using it to grow food?

It's been a challenging few weeks for farmers with Storm Babet and Storm Ciarán bringing exceptional amounts of rainfall to different parts of the UK.  The flooding has washed away newly sown crops, and the soil they were in.  Farmers are having to decide whether to replant or not.  With volatile weather events happening more regularly, do we need to think differently about how land is managed in flood-prone areas? 

All week we're looking at bird flu. We still have outbreaks occurring, although much less frequently than this time last year.  But the devastation for farmers whose flocks died, still hurts.  Nancy Nicolson has been to speak to Donald MacSween, a crofter on the Isle of Lewis who, for the past decade, has run a commercial flock of hens supplying eggs to shops across the island.  But this summer his remaining birds fell victim to the disease. 

There is growing evidence that getting out into nature can play an important role in improving mental and physical health - according to NHS England.  Green social prescribing activities are being offered as an alternative form of treatment as part of a cross government programme, lead by Natural England.  One project at Blenheim Estate, is being supported by research from Oxford University. 

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08/11/23 Landuse to prevent floods, bird flu on the Isle of Lewis, green prescribing

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