20/05/21 - Australian trade deal, dogs disturbing nesting birds and bee corridors

Farming Today

• Episode: 20/05/21 - Australian trade deal, dogs disturbing nesting birds and bee corridors
• Website: Farming Today
• Feed URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q/episodes/downloads.rss
• Duration: 00:13:41
• Published: 2021-05-20 07:00

At the moment, imports of agricultural produce from Australia - like lamb and beef - are subject to tariffs. But the Government is keen to strike free trade deals and has now indicated those tariffs could be lowered. The farming industry is furious - saying a big increase in Australia meat imports could cripple British producers AND the meat’s produced to lower welfare standards. The Department for International Trade have told us 'Any deal we sign with Australia will include protections for the agriculture industry and will not undercut UK farmers'… the statement goes on 'typically, any tariff liberalisation is staged over time, with safeguards built in'. Nude selfies on the cliffs… children put on the backs of bulls… we’ve heard it all this week as we look at the explosion in visits to the countryside during the pandemic. Holkham Hall welcomes thousands of visitors every year - but the estate’s huge beach is also a National Nature Reserve and nesting site for rare little terns and ringed plover, and keeping the nests safe from dogs is a priority. And in Dorset, gardening clubs, schools and allotment holders are coming together to help bees. A web of wildlife corridors is being created around Bere Marsh Farm near Blandford Forum - which is run by the Countryside Restoration Trust - to help bee populations grow and spread. Presented by Sybil Ruscoe. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol is Heather Simons.