Is Sainsbury's pursuing an 'anti-meat' agenda as NFU claim? Marine Conservation Zones; Lords committee on Brexit and agriculture

Farming Today

• Episode: Is Sainsbury's pursuing an 'anti-meat' agenda as NFU claim? Marine Conservation Zones; Lords committee on Brexit and agriculture
• Website: Farming Today
• Feed URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q/episodes/downloads.rss
• Duration: 00:13:35
• Published: 2017-01-26 01:00

Is Sainsbury's pursuing an 'anti-meat agenda' as the NFU claims? Charlotte Smith finds out, speaking to Oxford University food expert Professor Charles Godfray and John Royle, the NFU's chief livestock adviser. The supermarket has announced that it's partnering up with the Wellcome Trust's 'Our Planet, Our Health' scheme - based on research from Oxford University - which encourages consumers to eat less meat: claiming it's better for their health and the environment. As part of this trial, Sainsbury's will stock veggie alternatives on their shelves, alongside traditionally meat-based products such as savoury pies and sausages. However, the NFU contest the project and its motivations. A house of Lords inquiry has begun, to look at the impact of Brexit on UK agriculture. Taking evidence from academics and a business leader, the inquiry's first session tackled the thorny issues of farm subsidies, the threat from free trade deals, and how the government should be preparing for Brexit. Farming Today's Sally Challoner listened to the session. Also, Marine Conservation Zones, which are like underwater national parks. There are currently 50 around the UK and DEFRA is proposing 48 more, but some marine experts say the latest consultation on MCZ's is badly presented - and not enough time is being set aside for it. Anna Hill's been finding out how these conservation zones have sparked disagreements between the fishing community and conservationists. One case in point is 200 metres off the Norfolk Coast where a chalk reef which has been designated an MCZ. It's where many of the famous Cromer Crabs come from. Conservationists want it's protection increased further, to prevent possible future damage by large crabbers - but the fishermen disagree. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Mark Smalley.