Farming Today

09/05/20 - Farming Today This Week

Farming Today

Just before the Coronavirus pandemic struck, the government had been preparing to launch its National Food Strategy, headed by Henry Dimbleby, owner of the Leon chain of restaurants. Its original purpose was to look at health, environment and food security. That last topic has been brought into sharp focus by the Covid19 pandemic - so are there lessons to be learnt? Horse racing is cancelled because of lockdown. Although many people are missing the sport, what does it mean for the horses and the businesses? Sybil Ruscoe visits stables in the Cotswolds to meet the furloughed horses, a trainer and a jockey. We visit a tiny farm in Devon where more than fifty varieties of vegetable are grown on less than an acre...and ask how big a part these tiny farms can play in our food system. Researchers at Exeter University are investigating the attitudes of gamekeepers toward predators. Are they under pressure from shoot-owners to illegally kill birds of prey that eat game birds? We hear from one anonymous former gamekeeper who says yes. And we share the sounds that make us happy - from breakfasting ducks to underwater insects...from nightingales to skylarks. Presented by Sybil Ruscoe Produced by Heather Simons

Next Episodes

Farming Today

08/05/20 Booming bitterns return to Morecambe Bay @ Farming Today

📆 2020-05-08 07:00 / 00:13:26