21/04/21 - Bivalve mollusc exports, silvopasture and Labour's Rural Review

Farming Today

• Episode: 21/04/21 - Bivalve mollusc exports, silvopasture and Labour's Rural Review
• Website: Farming Today
• Feed URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q/episodes/downloads.rss
• Duration: 00:13:39
• Published: 2021-04-21 07:00

The export of bivalve molluscs from Class B waters to the EU for human consumption came to a halt as of the 1st January. It’s had a devastating impact on mollusc farming businesses. DEFRA said they had had assurances from the EU that the trade WOULD still be able to go ahead after Brexit, and that the EU has changed the rules. Now, we get a response from the European Commission. A field lab being run by Innovative Farmers - a not-for-profit group which links up farmers and researchers - is looking at whether introducing trees into fields used for grazing, increases soil carbon. Those involved hope the data will be used by policy makers to decide how much farmers should be paid for adding trees to fields under a system of ‘public money for public goods’. We visit one of the farms involved. And Labour are reviewing all their rural policies in England, saying they want to be the Party of the Countryside. They vow more support for rural transport, health services, and community hubs. They're also scrutinising the Government’s current plans to phase out area-based Direct Payments for farmers and introduce Environmental Land Management Scheme or ELMs. Anna Hill speaks to Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Luke Pollard. Presented by Anna Hill Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons