26/07/21 Small farms, Non-viable farm businesses, Water shortage.

Farming Today

• Episode: 26/07/21 Small farms, Non-viable farm businesses, Water shortage.
• Website: Farming Today
• Feed URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qj8q/episodes/downloads.rss
• Duration: 00:11:37
• Published: 2021-07-26 07:00

There are very big changes ahead in British farming, how will small farms fare when the current system of subsidies is phased out? The Princes Countryside Trust supports smaller farm businesses with a range of programmes. We speak to Lord Curry of Kirkharle, chair of Trustees of the Prince’s Countryside Fund and for many years a farmer himself. More than a third of farmers surveyed by agricultural accountants think their businesses won’t be viable in years to come when basic payments end. The Rural Agricultural Group, an association of specialist agricultural accountants, got feedback from around 250 farmers from across the UK and 34% feared they wouldn't survive when the current system is replaced by Environmental Land Management Schemes. Scottish Water is asking people on Orkney to save water – it’s using tankers to supply areas where it’s in danger of running out. Farmers are feeling the heat too. Weeds are growing better than new grass because of the hot dry weather. Presenter = Caz Graham Producer = Rebecca Rooney