All rural life is here: daily news of food, farming, the countryside and the environment with analysis and context from the BBC's experts in the field. Presented by Anna Hill and Charlotte Smith, Farming Today goes out every weekday on Radio 4 at 054
407 followers 7 articles/week
13/05/2024 - Food exports, rural tourism and new Welsh creamery

When Britain left the European Union, the Government said food and drink exporters had a 'golden opportunity' to put British food at the 'top of the global menu'. But the reality is that UK food is still lagging behind its European counterparts, both in terms of sales and reputation. Tourism brings £14.5 billion into the rural economy every year - according...

Mon May 13, 2024 08:48
11/05/24 Farming Today This Week: Sandeels, funding for robotic pickers, crisis of confidence for farmers, European roadtrip.

Farmer confidence is at an all time low: that's according to a new survey published this week by the National Farmers' Union. It says the wet weather has had an impact, but farmers also point to worries about the future of their businesses. The Government’s announcement that the seasonal worker visa scheme is being extended for five years has been...

Sat May 11, 2024 09:37
10/05/2024 - Seasonal labour, Portuguese rice and growing wasabi

The Government’s announcement that the seasonal worker visa scheme is being extended for five years has been welcomed by farming organisations. It comes as part of DEFRA's response to an independent review into Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain which was published last summer. Also in that response is a commitment to "turbo-charge" investment...

Fri May 10, 2024 08:26
09/05/24 - Regen ag, Iberico pork, OEP water report and tractor factory strike

The boss of Waitrose has told Farming Today that the value of food needs reappraising and that in some cases higher prices should be considered. It comes as the supermarket announces that from 2035, it’s UK produced meat, milk, eggs and fruit and veg will come from farms that practice regenerative farming. There is no precise definition for regenerative...

Thu May 9, 2024 08:26
08/05/24 - Coast path, carbon sequestration and selling fruit direct

The King Charles III England Coast Path was named to celebrate the coronation last year - and the plan was to make 2,700 miles of coastal path available to walkers. But, on the Isle of Wight, the Ramblers Association says some landowners won't allow access for the path, so it will have to detour away from the coast. One of those is the Osbourne House...

Wed May 8, 2024 08:12
07/05/24 UK EU row over sandeels, farmers' collapse in confidence, Bordeaux wine growers in trouble

The RSPB says it is "vital" that a UK ban on fishing for sandeels in the North Sea remains in place. The ban, which stops sandeel trawlers fishing in English and Scottish sections of the North Sea, came into effect in April following a long campaign by conservationists concerned about declining seabird populations, particularly puffins and kittiwakes....

Tue May 7, 2024 08:55

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