Farming Today

23/12/21 Cornish oysters, new NI farm policy, migrant farm workers, Christmas meat

Farming Today

This time of year should be a boom time for Cornish oyster exports to continental Europe; they’re an integral part of festive celebrations in several countries. But since the end of the Brexit transition in January, shipping bivalve molluscs to the EU has become largely impractical, because of a trade dispute about coastal water quality. We hear more from fishers on the Falmouth Estuary. Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots, has revealed his proposal for schemes to replace the current subsidy system, whcih will replace the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. And in answer to a listener query, we explore when the UK's dependence on migrant labour began - as the Government insists companies should be investing in attracting more British workers to work in food processing and agriculture. Finally, we hear from a Snowdonian sheep farmer who wants more of us to eat locally sourced meat for Christmas; even if it means a break with tradition... Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

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