Farming Today

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

BBC Radio 4 LW

Farming Today: 01/02/2024 Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme; Farmland birds; Meat imports and exports.

01/02/2024 Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme; Farmland birds; Meat imports and exports.

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 01/02/2024 Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme; Farmland birds; Meat imports and exports.

Farmers fear Sustainable Farming Scheme will have big impact on jobs and farm incomes.

Impact assessment of Welsh Government's proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme estimates it will have a big impact on livestock numbers, jobs and farm incomes.

Welsh farmers fear their government is moving to reduce the number of cattle and sheep in the country - it's because of an impact assessment that the government carried out on its new Sustainable Farming Scheme. This is the Welsh replacement for the old EU CAP, it's currently out for consultation and is due to come in next year. The impact assessment research, by ADAS, The SRUC and the University of Dublin, showed a reduction in farm income as a result of the new policy which will phase out direct subsidy payments of £199 million. It estimates 5,500 jobs will go, along with 122,000 cattle and sheep. 

It's 10 years since the first Big Farmland Bird Count - a farmer-led survey run by the Game and Wildlife Conservation trust. Many birds that would have traditionally relied on farming landscapes, like yellow hammers, corn buntings and lapwings are in decline and red-listed according to the RSPB. We visit a farm on Salisbury Plain where one farmer's put in a range of measures to encourage birds, including boosting hedgerows, keeping plots back for plant mixes that provide seeds in the winter, and spreading bird seed every week. 

New rules on imports from the EU came in this week but the meat industry here warns that there are still problems which need ironing out. Post-Brexit checks on imported meat, fruit and veg have finally been introduced after much delay. From April more checks come in and, alongside concerns that the UK border control post won't be ready, the British Meat Processors Association warns that EU exporters won't have access to enough vets to sign documentation. 

Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Farming Today

01/02/2024 Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme; Farmland birds; Meat imports and exports.

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4