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: 14/02/24 Environmental payments to farms - details of the Sustainable Farming Incentive; Lower carbon beef

14/02/24 Environmental payments to farms - details of the Sustainable Farming Incentive; Lower carbon beef

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 14/02/24 Environmental payments to farms - details of the Sustainable Farming Incentive; Lower carbon beef

More farmers take up payments to farm for nature, but does that mean growing less food?

Around 10,000 farmers have signed up for the government's latest payment system for farmers, the Sustainable Farming Incentive, but what does that mean for food production?

As more farmers take up payments to farm in a more environmentally-friendly way, will that mean growing less food? After leaving the EU, the four nations of the UK have decided on different payment systems for farmers. In England, the Environmental Land Management Scheme, or ELMS, has several parts to it - the simplest being the Sustainable Farming Incentive or SFI. Some farmers said there was little incentive to sign up, because payments to do environmental work were too low. However, in January that changed and some payments were increased. We unpick the details of the scheme and find out who the winners and losers are. We also talk to the Defra farming minister, Mark Spencer.

Some farmers in Northern Ireland fear a new scheme designed to reduce emissions from livestock will put slower-growing breeds of cattle at a disadvantage. They are concerned it will make rearing grass-fed or native breed cattle less viable.

Presenter: Anna Hill
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

14/02/24 Environmental payments to farms - details of the Sustainable Farming Incentive; Lower carbon beef

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4