24/05/21 - The NI Protocol, gaps in hedgrows and buying local food

Farming Today

• Episode: 24/05/21 - The NI Protocol, gaps in hedgrows and buying local food
• Website: Farming Today
• Feed URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q/episodes/downloads.rss
• Duration: 00:11:25
• Published: 2021-05-24 07:00

Farmers and food producers are facing ‘significant challenges’ dealing with the Northern Ireland Protocol according to a study from the Irish Farmers Journal and KPMG. A survey of businesses on both sides of the border found they thought for the protocol to function it must have rules which are based on the real level of risk. There has been an ongoing debate about the protocol's implementation and the number of checks required. As the UK strives to reduce its carbon emissions millions of trees continue to be planted. But not every landscape is suited to trees and not every landowners wants to sacrifice fertile fields. We visit the East Yorkshire wolds where a new project is using drones to search for gaps in hedgerows where new trees and bushes could be planted, without encroaching on productive fields. And the pandemic changed our shopping habits - last year a You Gov poll found that 64 per cent of the 1,032 people asked wanted to support local businesses and buy local products - but will that last? And what does it mean for farmers and food producers? Well this week we’ll try to find out - as we look at vending machines, farm shops and other ways to get produce off the farm on onto our plates. We start by hearing from Dr Rosalind Sharpe, Director of Food Research Collaboration at the Centre for Food Policy, University of London. She says using small, local supply chains is a more sustainable way to buy food, and the pandemic gave many of those businesses a boost. Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons