29/09/21 New plans for gene editing, pig industry left out of temporary worker visas, £30 per hour to pick broccoli

Farming Today

• Episode: 29/09/21 New plans for gene editing, pig industry left out of temporary worker visas, £30 per hour to pick broccoli
• Website: Farming Today
• Feed URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q/episodes/downloads.rss
• Duration: 00:13:40
• Published: 2021-09-29 07:00

The Government announces new plans to allow scientists to use gene editing to develop new strains of crops. Unlike genetic modification, the Defra says gene editing does not result in the introduction of DNA from other species, and creates new varieties which could be produced more slowly by natural breeding processes. Under EU regulations gene editing was treated in the same way as genetic modification and highly restricted. Now on leaving the EU, the UK plans to change the regulations but the new rules only apply to research, and not to new products for market. Now that the Home Office has offered 3 month temporary visas to foreign workers to come over to help with Christmas poultry, other sectors are demanding help too. Pig farmers are still suffering the consequences of labour shortfalls, with more than 100 thousand animals are stuck on farms. The labour shortage is also having an impact in the fields. TH Clements in Lincolnshire produces 20% of the broccoli and sprouts eaten in Britain. They recently put out an advert for more field workers and said experienced staff could earn up to £30 an hour. That headline led to more than 7000 applicants. We ask whether that wage is really achievable. All week we’re looking at training in agriculture-related work. According to the Office for National Statistics, over the last 25 years the number of independent butchers in the UK has reduced by 60%. But in the Norfolk market town of Hingham, a local butcher is nurturing the next generation. Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.