Inside Farming

The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on UK food and farming – with supermarket shelves bare, farms suffering labour shortages and the widespread cancellation of agricultural shows.But agriculture is a resilient industry - and farmers are fighting back, ramping up food supplies and launching a huge campaign for British people to work on farms.And not to be deterred by cancellations, plans are afoot to hold the Greatest Agricultural Show online – where it won't be affected by coronavirus restrictions.This episode features Lincolnshire farmer Paul Davey, Sarah Boparan of Hops Labour Solutions and estate manager David Hills.Hosted by Johann Tasker with Surrey farmer Hugh Broom and Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith.Recorded on Sat/Sun 21/22 March 2020.

Four experts join Inside Farming host Johann Tasker to discuss the implications of the spring 2020 Budget for farmers.Has red diesel really received a reprieve? Or is it just temporary? And what impact will changes to entrepreneur relief have on the agricultural sector?With Rob Hitch of Dodd Accountants; Gary Markham of tax advisers Land Family Business; Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith; and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.

Reports suggest farmers could be among the big losers in Budget 2020 – with Chancellor Rishi Sunak targeting red diesel and inheritance tax.But what is the truth behind the rumours?In this special podcast, Inside Farming host Johann Tasker examines the likelihood of an end to the red diesel subsidy enjoyed by farmers for more than 90 years.He discusses the implications with agricultural accountant Rob Hitch, Surrey farmer Hugh Broom and Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith.

British livestock farmers are suffering mental health problems because of attacks by animal rights activists and vegan campaigners, says the National Farmers Union.NFU president Minette Batters issued the warning during a keynote speech to the union's annual conference in Birmingham on Tuesday, 25 February, 2020.The anti-meat agenda – often supported by A-list celebrities – was having "real life consequences" for UK farming families, she said.

British Sugar is the UK's sole processor of the UK's sugar beet crop – grown by some 3000 farmers mainly in the east of England.Once a 'banker' crop offering high returns, sugar beet margins are much tighter these days and the sector faces a number of challenges.These include tighter regulations on the agrochemicals used to grow the crop, pricing structures and the UK's recently introduced sugar tax.In this episode, British Sugar managing director Paul Kenward is quizzed about the prospects for his company and UK sugar beet growers.

Barnstorming UK is an initiative which sees prominent politicians interviewed in front of a live audience by a journalist with an interest in similar issues.I interviewed Neil Parish MP, chairman of the House of Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee, which scrutinises the government's policies for agriculture.We covered a range of issues – including Neil's work, his views on Defra secretary of state Michael Gove, food standards, animal welfare, environmental payments to farmers, international trade in agricultural products and – of course – Brexit.This episode of Inside Farming was recorded live on Thursday, 7 March 2019 in the Old Tithe Barn at Bix Manor, Henley on Thames.With thanks to Neil Parish, Barnstorming UK and Bix Manor.

Reports of illegal drone flights caused travel mayhem at Gatwick airport days before Christmas 2018 - sparking a clampdown against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).This episode of Inside Farming examines how new restrictions will affect farmers, agronomists and the UK agri-tech sector – who all use drones legitimately.Includes a visit to a farm next door to Heathrow airport and interview with a former military pilot who was praised for avoiding a collision between a drone and RAF fighter jet.Featuring: Berkshire farmer Colin Rayner, Jeff Goulding of Hummingbird Technologies, independent consultant Keith Norman, agronomist Martyn Cox of Blackthorn Arable and Russ Delaney of uVue Drones.

Some British farmers see Brexit as an opportunity – but others fear a flood of substandard food imports will be allowed into the country.Examples include hormone-treated beef, chlorine-washed chicken and ecologically damaging food produced on swathes of deforested land.This episode of Inside Farming examines the situation – and looks at how politicians and farmers believe substandard imports can be prevented.Featuring Defra secretary Michael Gove, shadow farm minister David Drew, NFU president Minette Batters and UK farmer Joe Stanley.A special podcast recorded at the 2019 Oxford Farming Conference.

Farmers must do more to combat bovine tuberculosis – arguably the biggest challenge facing the UK's beef and dairy industries, says an independent report.There are no easy answers to bovine TB, says Sir Charles Godfray's review of the government's 25-year strategy to eradicate the disease and ensure England is TB-free by 2038.Published on Tuesday (13 November), the report says badger culling can make a modest but real difference – and argues that livestock farmers must take more responsibility to help reduce the spread of the disease.This should include better on-farm biosecurity, curtailing livestock movements that risk spreading bovine TB and a new government body to oversee the fight against the disease, it adds.

An emergency service has been launched to help drought-hit UK farmers who urgently need water for their crops and livestock. The NFU Water Bank follows an appeal to the Environment Agency for more flexibility in the abstraction licensing system. The agency has agreed to fast-track approval – where possible – for short-term water trading so farmers with a surplus can help growers and livestock producers facing a shortage. This podcast examines how the scheme works - and how it might help ease the pressure on UK farmers suffering from lack of rain.

Rural crime is rising at its fastest rate since 2010, according to the latest annual report by UK rural insurer NFU Mutual. But crime in the countryside is about much more than thieves stealing tractors and other machine from farms – although that is a major problem too. This podcast speaks to a farmer whose family has been repeatedly threatened by a criminal gang of hare coursers – and asks are police getting the resources needed to catch those responsible? As well as farm theft and hare coursing, other offences taking their toll on farmers and rural communities include fly-tipping, dog attacks on sheep and livestock rustling. With police finances under pressure – calls are growing for fairer funding to ensure that the fight against rural crime is properly resourced. With Tim Price (NFU Mutual), Richard Beechener (Farmers & Mercantile), Jamie Burrows (Hertfordshire farmer and agricultural contractor), Deputy Chief Constable Craig Naylor (Lincolnshire Police and the National Police Chiefs Council), North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan (National Rural Crime Network), and Sam Durham (National Farmers Union).

Plans by UK environment secretary Michael Gove to phase out farm subsidies herald the biggest changes faced by British farmers for more than 50 years. Rather than making annual direct payments to farmers, Mr Gove wants to abolish subsidies and replace them with a system of 'public money' for public goods. Yet thousands of farmers rely on those payments to stay in business. In this first episode of Inside Farming, we look at the likely impact of Mr Gove's plans – and examine what his forthcoming Agriculture Bill might put in their place. With Mark Suthern (Barclays Bank), Michael Haverty (The Andersons Centre), Julie Robinson (Roythornes Solicitors), Tom Bradshaw (NFU), Martin Lines (Nature Friendly Farming Network), Ben Underwood (Country Land & Business Association) and Sean Sparling (Association of Independent Crop Consultants).