Farming Today

• 18/09/25: Drought/downpour, rural crime gang jailed, bus services

  The Environment Agency announced this week that drought is likely to extend into the autumn for some areas. But September is making up for August's lack of rain and, where there have been heavy downpours, farmers are starting to hope for a little respite. Charlotte Smith talks to two dairy farmers: one in the dry East of England the other in the (usually) damp West about the swing from heatwave to showers.An organised crime gang has been jailed for machinery and vehicle thefts from farms, worth millions of pounds. Seven men were jailed for a total of twenty five years after pleading guilty at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday. We hear from the detective in charge of the investigation.And we continue our look at rural services, with buses.Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling

  --------  

  13:46

  --------

  13:46
• 17/09/25: Rivers in National Parks, Rural Post Offices, Economics of Fishing.

  A new report claims rivers in England and Wales' National Parks aren't protected adequately against sewage discharges and agricultural runoff. 'Rivers at Risk', published by Campaign for National Parks and the Rivers Trust says in some areas the sewage system isn't able to cope with an influx of holiday visitors. The report's timed to send a message to the Government ahead of forthcoming reforms to the water industry.There's a week left to comment in the Government's consultation on the future of the Post Office. We hear about the gap left by the closure of the post office in one South Devon village.The cost of running a fishing boat has risen, but so have profits. Anna Hill discusses the findings of Seafish's latest report on the economics of the UK fleet.Presenter: Anna Hill Producer: Sarah Swadling

  --------  

  14:02

  --------

  14:02
• 16/09/25: US-UK dairy trade? Health services in rural areas.

  As President Trump arrives for his State Visit, farmers and milk processors are warning that allowing US dairy producers access to our markets could potentially threaten the financial viability of the UK industry. The National Farmers Union's Dairy Board Chair says the US dairy industry has made no secret of its ambitions to break into the lucrative UK market and has exportable surplus to spare. The NFU and Dairy UK have written to the Prime Minister, demanding that food and animal welfare standards are a red line in future negotiations. We continue our look at services in rural areas with a visit to a voluntary organisation connecting people to health and social care provision in the Highlands, as well as combatting loneliness. We hear from the Nuffield Trust about the extra cost challenges for health providers in rural areas.Presenter: Anna Hill Producer: Sarah Swadling

  --------  

  14:00

  --------

  14:00
• 15/09/25 Cheesemakers unhappy with US trade deal, less money for rural services, fishing industry fears ban on bottom trawling

  British cheesemakers say they’ve got a raw deal on export tariffs to the US compared to their EU competitors.The Government is consulting on extending a ban on bottom trawler fishing in marine protected areas. Conservationists argue the practice of dragging nets and chains along the sea floor is destroying habitats and species. But fishermen are warning that restricting where they can catch will cause financial hardship.If you live in the countryside it is likely that your local authority gets 40% less funding per head than an urban one, you will pay 20% more council tax and it’s harder to find a dentist, a doctor, a bank or a bus; that's according to the Rural Services Network.Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

  --------  

  11:54

  --------

  11:54
• 13/09/25: Farmland Birds, Wild Summit, Illegal Meat

  Populations of birds which live on farmland have declined sharply since the 1970s, although there are signs the rate of decline is now slowing. We visit projects to improve habitats for Nightjars in Staffordshire and Corncrakes on the Isle of Lewis. This week a Wild Summit bought together voices from all sides of the debate to discuss how to reverse the biodiversity crisis. Farming Today hears from conservationists and farmers, agreeing that current policies are 'fractured'.The Commons' Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs committee has published a highly critical report claiming that illegal meat imports are increasing and that the authorities don't have adequate resources to tackle the problem.And, is the appointment of a new Secretary of State for DEFRA a chance to reset the relationship between farmers and the Government?Presenter: Caz Graham Producer: Sarah Swadling

  --------  

  24:44

  --------

  24:44

More Science podcasts

Trending Science podcasts

About Farming Today

Farming Today: Podcasts in Family