Podcasts about Environment Agency

Somerset's to get an extra £50m investment to help the county deal with flooding. The government is giving the money to the county council who will work in partnership with local drainage boards, communities, the Environment Agency and the Somerset Rivers Authority. Farming Minister Angela Eagle says it will enable farmers to better withstand the growing threat of floods.Nearly 300 cattle in Scotland are due to be culled because their identification regulations haven't been followed. The Belted Galloways from Home Farm on the Falkland Estate in Fife cannot enter the food chain because they aren't properly registered. Government inspectors due to oversee the cull say they've faced threats online, and will now not attend. All week we're delving into the detail of growing cereal crops – wheat, barley and oats. Farmers are used to juggling with the challenges of the weather, but this year there have been several other parts to the tricky equation of making cereal crops profitable. With fertilizer prices rising because of the war in the Middle East, and lower or non-existent support payments following Brexit, where does that leave larger cereal growers, competing in global markets?Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Today I had Iain on the R2Kast

Water is a main topic of conversation amongst farmers at the moment - because it's in short supply. Memories of the wet winter have been dried out by the recent hot weather and those growing crops or indeed relying on grass to feed their animals are all talking about rain which hasn't materialised. Environment Agency figures show that rainfall across England last month was 38% of the long term average. However, some areas got far less. We speak to an expert about what this means for water abstraction and growers who irrigate their crops over the summer using water from rivers or aquifers.Food prices keep rising - industry bodies suggest an increase of 9 or 10% by the end of the year. The cost of energy, diesel, fertiliser and other farming inputs have been on the rise – with more inflation expected to come. All week we've been looking at local food systems. It isn't always easy to connect households on a limited budget with fresh, healthy produce, but a farming family from Staffordshire have made that their mission. They've set up Farm Fresh Revolution, a project which delivers discounted fruit, vegetables and meat to local schools to inspire families to eat more healthily.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The view from inside the Environment Agency, the body which enforces environmental standards for water companies in England. Reported and presented by Kate Lamble Producer: Elle Scott Sound Design: Andy Fell Executive Producer: Joe Kent Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Commissioning Editor: Dan ClarkeRinsed is a BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4

About the Guest Carly Hunt is the Head of Strategic Partnerships of Showerkap, a UK-based water technology company tackling excessive water consumption in the hospitality sector. With over 20 years in hotel management — latterly focused on energy, waste, and water reduction programmes — Carly brings rare operational depth to the sustainability challenge she's now helping to solve. Her academic background in sustainable tourism (the subject of her university dissertation) makes her return to this space something of a full-circle moment. Episode Summary Water scarcity might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you book a hotel room, but it probably should be. In this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner sits down with Carly Hunt, Head of Strategic Partnerships of Showerkap, to explore how the hospitality industry is one of the heaviest — and least scrutinised — consumers of fresh water on the planet. Hotels can use up to eight times more water than local residents, with individual rooms consuming as much as 1,500 litres per day. Meanwhile, the UK's Environment Agency is forecasting a potential shortfall of 1.4 billion litres per day by 2030, rising to 5 billion by 2050. The numbers are stark, and Carly makes the case that demand reduction — not just supply management — has to be part of the answer. Carly's entry into this space came through two decades of hotel management, where she discovered that energy and waste were relatively easy to monitor and reduce, but water was almost impossible to measure at any meaningful resolution. That gap led her to Showerkap, the brainchild of inventor Steve Harding, which combines three elements that have never previously been integrated in the water sector: fixture-level IoT monitoring across an entire building, a cloud-based analytics platform, and a novel shower fade timer that delivers a real-time behavioural nudge — without restricting flow. The pilot results, run across one floor of the Sandman Hotel at Gatwick Airport, were striking. Prior to the intervention, guests were showering for 35 minutes or more — consuming around 245 litres per session. After the shower fade timer was introduced (set to seven minutes), average shower duration across the 20-room eco-floor dropped to just three minutes and 20 seconds. Overall water usage fell by 58%, energy use by 14%, and the projected saving across the full hotel is approximately 2.7 million litres per year. Of the guests who stayed across nearly a year of the pilot, only three declined to participate in the eco-floor — a participation rate that Carly and Vincent calculate at roughly 99%. The commercial case is deliberately straightforward: Showerkap is targeting a two-year payback period, meaning hotels can effectively finance the installation against the savings it generates. Beyond the headline water and energy savings, the technology surfaces hidden operational value — the Sandman pilot uncovered hot water circulation issues throughout the building and enabled early detection of Legionella risk. The go-to-market strategy currently leans on pilots and case studies to build trust in a space where water has historically been undervalued, with an eye toward expansion into the Mediterranean, MENA, and other water-scarce markets. An upcoming back-of-house research piece, potentially in partnership with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, is expected to extend Showerkap's evidence base well beyond the bathroom. Key Takeaways Hotels use up to eight times more water per person than local residents, with some rooms consuming up to 1,500 litres per day — making demand reduction in hospitality a high-leverage intervention. Showerkap's pilot at the Sandman Hotel, Gatwick, achieved a 58% reduction in shower water usage and cut energy consumption by 14%, with average shower times dropping from 35+ minutes to under three and a half minutes. The technology's payback period is approximately two years, making it financeable against projected savings — a critical threshold for hotel procurement teams weighing up an unfamiliar category. Behavioural nudges, not flow restrictions, drive the results: the shower fade timer gives guests a gentle cue and the option to continue, yet the vast majority choose to reduce — suggesting most water waste is habitual rather than intentional. Showers account for over 50% of hotel bathroom water use, but the IoT platform also surfaces back-of-house inefficiencies in kitchens, laundry, and plumbing systems — unlocking operational and maintenance savings beyond the guest experience. Notable Quotes "Water is one of the most vital resources on earth. And we all know that. And we rarely treat it that way because we automatically run a tap and it's there." — Carly Hunt "Reducing showers by just a couple of minutes can save 20 litres. And if those small actions become millions, then think of the impact that would have." — Carly Hunt "We always say that water intrinsically is linked to everything. We can't do anything without water." — Carly Hunt "We don't want to force anyone to change, because that doesn't work. You have to effectively give them the tools to actually do it themselves." — Carly Hunt Resources Showerkap Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (mentioned in episode) Shape the System is an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We're here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we'll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: highgrowthventures@kpmg.com.au

In this episode we are talking about the once-in-a-generation reckoning currently facing the British water industry. Following the publication of the final report from Sir Jon Cunliffe's Independent Water Commission last summer - and most recently the landmark January 2026 White Paper, "A New Vision for Water," the regulatory landscape across the sector is being completely redrawn. To discuss these changes and the implications for the supply chain, I am joined today by Chris Taylor-Dawson, Senior Director for Major Water Infrastructure at regulator Ofwat, someone who is, without question, at the heart of this transition. And there is certainly a huge amount for Chris to get across. To start with Ofwat itself will be reborn via a merger with the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and some functions of the Environment Agency and Natural England, to create a new single integrated regulator.And there is a huge amount of work to do on the ground following the latest AMP8 price review. Water companies are committed over the next five years to at least 30 major infrastructure projects, including perhaps nine new reservoirs, as part of a complex £50 billion pound major projects pipeline.And with Ofwat's recent Economic Impact of Water Supply Infrastructure report highlighting that continued water scarcity could significantly stifle economic growth, the urgency is certainly growing.Fortunately, Chris is a calm head when it comes to meeting this kind of challenge and brings a wealth of experience from his previous career delivering major projects for National Highways.I last spoke to him in November at the Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit in London and it's fair to say the challenges have become clearer since then. ResourcesOfwat website Sir John Cunliffe Independent Commission final reportJanuary 2026 White Paper "A New Vision for Water" Ofwat's Economic Impact of Water Supply Infrastructure reportPR24 price reviewOfwat Major Water Infrastructure Programme (MWIP)RAPID (Regulators' Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development) programme Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit London 2025

Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Kate Speke Adams

It's the dirty secret at the heart of England's waterways. The water companies publicly insist they are cleaning up their act, but privately they have been allowed to avoid prosecution for years through a little-known mechanism which lets a company admit fault and pay money to a good cause instead of facing criminal charges. The Environment Agency says the payments are a “brilliant tool”, faster and simpler than taking a case through a lengthy court process. But Channel 4 News has uncovered how these payments have been used repeatedly by water companies accused of polluting rivers, allowing them to sidestep court, scrutiny, and conviction. Our investigation has also found that the Environment Agency has not completed a single prosecution of a water company for any pollution occurring in the last five years, despite almost two million sewage discharges. In this episode of The Fourcast, Krishnan Guru-Murthy speaks to Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson, who has been looking into this story, campaigner Fergal Sharkey, and whistleblower Robert Forrester, who has firsthand experience of how these cases are handled inside the system.

Zak Mir talks to Paul Emmitt, CEO Powerhouse Energy (AIM: PHE), as the company pioneering integrated technology that converts non-recyclable waste into low carbon energy, announced an operational update in the wake of the recent oversubscribed retail offer of £400,000 and £260,000 battery developer contract.Powerhouse Energy looks to be moving into a more commercial phase, and the most interesting part of that shift is not just about technology. It is about timing, market need and where demand is now coming from.For a long time, the story around the company was heavily tied to hydrogen and the broader net zero narrative. That is still part of the picture, especially in certain projects. But the market has evolved. The stronger angle now is decarbonisation paired with energy security, and that combination is opening doors that were not as wide open even six or twelve months ago.That is the backdrop to the latest operational progress, which follows an oversubscribed retail offer and a third-party battery developer contract worth £260,000. The bigger message is that Powerhouse is trying to prove that it is more than an early-stage technology story. It wants to show it has real engineering capability, growing commercial traction and a product that fits a changing global energy market.A step closer to commercialityOne of the clearest signs of progress is the introduction of third-party work into the business. This matters because it is not simply work flowing through a historic channel or linked to an internal arrangement. It is direct business for Powerhouse itself.That may sound like a small distinction, but strategically it is important. It demonstrates that the expertise inside the company has value beyond the core waste-to-energy technology alone. In effect, the business is beginning to validate its broader engineering and technical competence in the market.That matters for two reasons: It helps bring the company forward faster by generating commercial activity now. It reinforces the core competency that will ultimately help sell the technology at scale. The company is also pushing this momentum through newer marketing activity and sales agreements in multiple regions. The effort is no longer limited to one or two flagship opportunities. It is becoming a wider commercial campaign.Why the market is changing in Powerhouse Energy's favourThe most striking theme is the shift in customer motivation.Historically, many conversations in clean technology revolved around net zero targets, emissions reduction and environmental policy. Those issues still matter, but they are now being joined, and in some cases overtaken, by a more immediate concern: security of supply.Across the world, energy markets have become more volatile. Geopolitical disruption in the Middle East, the continuing effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and broader fossil fuel price instability have made businesses and governments think much harder about resilience.That is where Powerhouse sees its opportunity.If a region or business produces waste and depends on imported fossil fuels, especially diesel, then converting that waste into low carbon energy becomes about more than sustainability. It becomes a practical route to greater independence and better control over energy costs.That is a far more urgent conversation.The appeal of using local waste for local energyThe company's proposition is straightforward in principle: many regions already have a waste stream many of those same regions are exposed to expensive or insecure fuel imports turning local non-recyclable waste into energy can reduce that dependence That message appears to be resonating particularly strongly in island markets and remote locations.Places that rely heavily on diesel generation have been hit hard by rising fuel costs. Yet they also generate waste that needs dealing with. For those markets, a waste-to-energy solution addresses two problems at once: waste management energy security This is one reason why recent commercial agreements matter. The company has signed sales arrangements with Green Gecko, with HUI for Central Europe, and another covering the Caribbean islands. These are not random geographies. They line up with exactly the kind of market conditions the company believes now favour its technology.Hydrogen still matters, but it is no longer the whole storyPowerhouse was originally built around a strong hydrogen focus, and that remains relevant in specific projects. The best example is Ballymena, which is expected to be the company's flagship hydrogen development.The Ballymena project is progressing through planning, and while the pace is not as fast as management would like, the direction appears positive.There are a few notable points here: the planning process is advancing through the council system community feedback has not presented major issues the main comments received appear to relate to matters that could likely have been addressed before submission rather than fundamental opposition the next key step is receiving the Environment Agency response to the planning application Once that is in place, the company intends to apply for a permit.That permitting stage may not be quick. The project could require the first permit of its kind in Northern Ireland, which means there may be some education needed along the way. That is often the reality for businesses pioneering a newer category of infrastructure. It is not necessarily a red flag, but it does add friction and time.Still, Ballymena remains important because it would give the market a visible hydrogen-led reference project. In a company like this, proving the first flagship matters enormously.Australia could be the real game changerIf Ballymena is the hydrogen flagship, Australia may be the bigger commercial catalyst.Progress there appears encouraging. The company has applied for government funding to support part of the early-stage project work, and it has brought National Waste to Energy into discussions with Green Gecko. The confidence expressed around early funding suggests management sees a realistic path to moving the project forward.The key phrase here is FID, or final investment decision.If an Australian project reaches FID, that would be a major milestone. It would represent a meaningful step from concept and development into a much more tangible commercial phase. That is why management is putting real emphasis on it.For early-stage energy and clean technology businesses, getting a project to FID can change the market's perception of risk. It suggests that technical, financial and practical hurdles are being cleared. In that context, the Australian opportunity stands out as one of the most significant pieces of the current pipeline.

The former manager of a pub in Dartford has been jailed for fraud after taking more than £100,000 from the business. A court heard how the 33-year-old repeatedly failed to deposit all the weekend earnings from The Clipper at the bank. Hear from our reporter who covered the case in court. Also in today's podcast, a court's heard how masked raiders stole £140,000 worth of motorbikes from a warehouse in Medway, after a loading bay was left open by an employee. The gang of 12 targeted Noatum Logistics on the Isle of Grain in July last year. A water company's admitted releasing untreated sewage into rivers and seas across north Kent. The Environment Agency charged Southern Water with releasing debris, diesel and waste into waterways at various times over a three year period. People living near an inland border facility in Kent say their gardens and properties are still being damaged by lorries going the wrong way. The Sevington site in Ashford became operational in 2021 and was given permanent status last December. A river crossing in Gravesend has been restored, completing a section of the world's longest coastal path. The £80,000 swing bridge on Gordon Promenade East near the canal basin connects one side of the town to the other. An event supporting grassroots artists in Kent is returning for a second year. The Dover Summer Series will see various up-and-coming musicians perform at The Booking Hall between May and July. And in sport, Gillingham's Sam Vokes has announced his retirement. The 36-year-old striker has confirmed the Gills' final game of the season against Shrewsbury on Saturday will be his last in professional football. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new independent report, commissioned by DEFRA, examines the unique challenges facing upland farmers and communities in England. We speak to the author of the report Dr Hilary Cottam. She has been asking people living and working in the uplands what they want for the future. Our National Parks mark their 75th anniversary this week. We hear about the importance of volunteers to the Peak District National Park, and we also visit a peatland restoration project in Bannau Brycheiniog, formerly the Brecon Beacons, in Wales.As the conflict in the Middle East continues, we've been reporting on the impact on farmers and food producers here in the UK who are facing pressure from increasing fuel and fertiliser costs. After farmers in the Republic of Ireland were offered a 100 million euro support package by their government to help cope with increasing costs, farmers in Northern Ireland are asking the UK government for more financial support too. Another impact of the war in Iran is the knock-on effect of spiralling fuel prices on the availability and cost of the plastic wrapping used for silage bales. With tractors already out in the fields cutting grass to make silage, an agricultural supply business tells us prices of some crop plastic may go up by as much as 40%.As the Environment Agency begins to clear thousands of tonnes of domestic and commercial rubbish from a huge flytipping site in Oxfordshire, we hear from the Country Land and Business Association who say that flaws in the application system to become a licensed waste carrier are making it easier for criminals to illegally dump waste at scale.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Jo Peacey. A BBC Audio Bristol production.

Why are Easter eggs more expensive this year? And what can we learn from Nigeria's long-term skills and training plan, which is helping them to build a green economy of the future?Episode Description:In this special edition of the CSCEN podcast, CSCEN's Millie Cave caught up with Sarah Mukherjee MBE before she delivered the closing address of the conference.We discussed topics ranging from: the skills, training and development required in a changing world; how to deliver the right messaging around climate change risks and sustainability to both the public and senior leaders; to the book that had a major impact on Sarah's motivation to make a positive difference within the climate and environment field.Guest Bio: Sarah Mukherjee MBE is the CEO of ISEP. Previously Sarah was the BBC's Environment correspondent, presenting on national and international BBC radio and television, winning awards across the world. After leaving the corporation, she held leadership roles in various sectors including utilities and agriculture. Sarah was a panel member for the National Parks Review and the Glover Review and also sat on the National Food Strategy Advisory Panel. She is co-chair of the Natural England Landscape Advisory Panel as well as Non-executive Director on the Board of the Environment Agency. In 2021 Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to agriculture and farmer well-being.Connect With Us:Join the conversation: ⁠⁠environment.network@energysecurity.gov.uk⁠⁠CSCEN website:  ⁠⁠Civil Service Climate + Environment Network | CSCEN Online⁠⁠Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Civil Service Climate and Environment Network or the Civil Service. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only

Al Chisholm is CIWEM's Director of Policy, though he will be soon be leaving to take on a new role at a different organisation.  In his last appearance on the podcast in his current role, he gives his thoughts on 3 big current nature, climate and water news stories. Niki and Alastair discuss:  The new strategic policy statement for the Environment Agency and Natural England. How citizen science is being carried out in one of London's rivers. The National Emergency briefing. Find out more about the stories Niki and Al discussed here... Strategic Policy Statement Citizen Science Project National Emergency Briefing   Join the Planet Possible mailing list to hear first about new episode releases… Click here to subscribe  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland

MPs on the Public Accounts Committee have called for the merger of the Environment Agency and Natural England. In a new report the committee criticises both organisations - saying that environmental regulators are 'spread too thin to protect nature while delivering reforms'. We speak to Wildlife and Countryside Link which represents dozens of conservation groups to see if they think a merger would work. Farmers and crofters are calling for more help to control geese. Warmer winters mean more geese are staying in Scotland over the winter and farmers say they're ruining crops and soiling grazing. Some species can be shot, but others are protected. NFU Scotland is calling for urgent action to help reduce their numbers. This week we've been taking a look back through history, to discover the foundations of our farming and landscape. If you've ever wondered why we have so many hedges or why rural Britain looks like it does today you have to go back to one of the most seismic events which happened over 200 years ago - The Enclosure Act. It not only shaped what we see in the countryside but also changed rural communities forever. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Welcome to episode 233 of the Financial Crime Weekly Podcast. I am Chris Kirkbride. In this episode, INTERPOL and the UNODC raise the problem of the "industrialisation of fraud." In England, the High Court has ruled that the tort of conversion cannot be used to recover stolen cryptocurrency, and the Environment Agency is to have police powers to address waste crime. The Council of the European Union has imposed new sanctions targeting malicious cyber activities and Russian hybrid threats. In the US, an Executive Order creates a task force to coordinate a national strategy against fraud, and the DOJ has seized $14.9 million linked to a trade-based money laundering scheme.A transcript of this podcast, with links to the stories, will be available at www.crimes.financial.

With the Environment Agency warning one in four homes is now at risk of flooding, the latest Insurance Post Podcast explores what the insurance industry is doing to make properties more resilient from storms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a marathon run of torrential rain, floods, and grey skies to start 2026 , the drought warnings from last Autumn seem a world away. Back in October, the Environment Agency said that at least 100% of the average rainfall would be needed every month until the end of March for England to recover fully from the 2025 drought. Steve Turner from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology tells Charlotte that rivers and groundwater have returned to normal, or above normal, levels in most of the country.We meet a grower search for an elusive and almost forgotten Derbyshire apple: Mrs Wilmot's Pippin. Land is seen as the answer to some of the big questions faced by Society: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by generating renewable energy, building new homes to ease the housing crisis, making space for nature to halt the collapse of wildlife numbers...and farming to feed the nation. As land is a finite resource, the debate over which land should be used for what purpose is becoming increasingly charged. The Government is hoping to take some of the heat out of the discussion, and provide much needed clarity. It's already consulted on a Land Use Framework for England, and the final version is due to be published soon. Ahead of that, this week we're looking at those competing pressures on land. Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling

Cambridge Chancellor joins Lisa Burke to explore AI's impact on education, free speech, climate challenges and why universities still matter. On this episode of The Lisa Burke Show, Lisa welcomes The Rt Hon the Lord Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury and the 109th Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. A former Labour Cabinet Minister, culture champion, environmental leader and the first openly gay Cabinet Minister in the world, Lord Smith reflects on a lifetime of public service and the evolving role of universities in a fast‑changing world. He describes a university's purpose as more than teaching or research: it is a place where “truth is honoured, evidence is sought, and debate happens.” At Cambridge, he reminds new students that they're not there to become better than others, but to become “the best version of themselves.” Yet he is clear that university is not the right path for everyone, arguing that the UK's push toward 50% university attendance diluted its value. On AI, Lord Smith recognises the power of large models to analyse vast bodies of knowledge instantly, but stresses the need for human judgment: AI can imitate style, but “it can't be genuinely creative.” He warns too of our “post‑Trump age,” where misinformation has become normalised, making critical thinking more essential than ever. Lord Smith also reflects on his legacy as Culture Secretary, where he introduced free admission to UK national museums. A moment with a father and daughter at the Science Museum, he says, confirmed that “a career in public life was worth it.” Museums, he argues, are part of a nation's collective memory and should never be gated by wealth. In discussing climate challenges, Chancellor Smith draws from his years chairing the Environment Agency, emphasising the need to trust scientific experts and to prioritise resources wisely. His lifelong love of the Scottish mountains began in a school expedition to Torridon, a formative experience that shaped his passion for nature and environmental stewardship. As Chancellor, he sees his role as both ambassador and advocate for higher education, calling the UK university fees system “broken” and in urgent need of reform. Above all, he places hope in the next generation: “Whenever I despair, I think about our young people… and that gives me hope.” A conversation spanning education, ethics, environment and the future, this episode is a powerful reminder of why leadership grounded in empathy, curiosity and truth still matters.

The Environment Agency and Met Office are warning of more rain and unsettled weather continuing into March at least. And that's going to delay essential farm jobs even longer - crops not planted, slurry not spread. For contractors who rely on this work, the forecast is another blow. Their national body - the National Association of Agricultural Contractors - has been meeting in Cornwall to discuss the situation. Its chair Matt Redman told Caz Graham the rain is stopping vital work, and when it finally clears there will be less time to complete the work, putting extra strain on staff and machinery.The UK is facing an acute shortages of vets, particularly in farm animal and public sector roles. A survey last year suggested that more than 40 % of ‘large animal' vets have considered leaving their jobs, and replacing them will be difficult - many undergraduates who study veterinary science have limited exposure to farmers and agriculture, and choose to specialise in other parts of the profession. Will Golding is a graduate of the University of Nottingham's vet school and knew from the off that farm vet practice was the career for him.Not having access to a large animal vet makes farming - or crofting - impossible. So when the last vet on the Hebridean Island of Tiree retired and no one came forward to take over the practice, islanders realised they'd have to take matter into their own hands. This week they've opened what's thought to be UK's first ‘not for profit' community owned vets. Presented by Caz Graham and produced in Bristol by Sally Challoner

The Environment Agency approved ‘netting’ last week took about a thousand pounds (in weight) of fish out of the Pond and this helps the older fish and reduces the biomass. The younger fish have gone to the Cotswold. The seven or eight terrapins remain too. Petersfield’s Volunteer Fishing bailiff, the skillful Richard Welsh told us more including concerns about the water level, the overall health of the pond (which is good) and the code about responsible enjoyment and keeping dogs - especially now in bird breeding season - under control and out of the water. Richard spoke to Mike Waddington on the Heath with hundreds of people enjoying the chilly but sunny day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After what was the wettest January on record for some, more rain means more problems for farmers, from flooding and waterlogged fields to worries about the impact on this year's harvest and their bottom lines. This week we heard from farmers at different ends of the country.We hear from the Environment Agency boss on building resilience though natural flood management, in a landscape recovery project in Oxfordshire.And AI in dairy: Big Brother is watching moo.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

With some farms underwater we hear from the Environment Agency boss on building resilience though natural flood management.The plant based drink company Oatly has lost a long running legal battle over the use of the term 'milk' in its marketing. And can AI help fight crop pests? Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

In this episode we cover:03:00 - Collaboration16:48 - Celebrating registrants29:59 - Registrant growth35:51 - Apprenticeships47:07 - New Strategy (2026) Speaker bios:Emma Wilcox CEnv began her career at the National Physical Laboratory after completing her PhD in physical metallurgy at the University of Surrey and her degree and Masters in Materials Science at Brunel University. Building on her academic background, her career has spanned knowledge transfer, training and skills across various technical disciplines. Having established the Energy and Efficiency Industrial Partnership and playing critical roles in creating two Skills Academies, Emma became the Chief Executive of the Society for the Environment in 2015. She is Chair of the IOM3 Sustainability Development Group, a member of the UK Government's Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel and a Board Member of the Future Water Association.Rebecca Hearn CEnv is co-director of Murray Environmental Limited and works in the land contamination field, with experience working on a range of former and active industrial sites including gas works and military sites. She is passionate about knowledge sharing and is an active member of the IES and the Society for the Environment Soils and Stones project team. As well as being actively involved these professional bodies Rebecca volunteers time to Midlands Lands Events (MidLE), Setup by Hearn and Midlands colleagues to support knowledge sharing amongst land professional in the midlands (UK).Chantelle Brandwood REnvP is a sustainability consultant and the Founder of Eco Action. Her aim is to help businesses make sustainability simple, by cutting through jargon and focusing on what drives real impact. Her work spans carbon management, science-based targets and life cycle assessment, turning complex data into clear plans, practical next steps and progress you can track.Tom Cheek has worked for over 20 years within a Further and Higher Education college, specialising in technical education and apprenticeships, with responsibility in delivery, quality assurance, technology enhanced learning and compliance across a wide range of sectors. Before SocEnv, Tom worked at the Science Council, with a key focus on connecting science disciplined apprenticeships with new routes to professional registration, recognising the experience and skills educational pathways deliver. The work has required collaboration with professional bodies, employers, apprentices, educational policy makers and other stakeholders, promoting the value of professional body engagement and the benefits of professional registration.Professor Ian Barker HonFSE CEnv is an independent consultant and commentator on water management, regulation, policy and governance. He is an Honorary Fellow and Vice chair of the Society of the Environment Board. A Chartered Environmentalist with over 35 years' experience, he had overall responsibility at the Environment Agency for water planning, regulation and management. With a career that spans over 20 years in the water industry, Natalie has worked for Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water across operations, investment, asset management and transformation.Check out our other platforms: YouTube: Society for the Environment //Website: socenv.org.uk // LinkedIn: society-for-the-environment

This week two watchdogs published reports on the Government's performance on the environment. The Office for Environmental Protection warned that, unless swift action is taken, the Government could miss 21 out of 43 legally set targets on biodiversity and protecting land and sea. Meanwhile, the National Audit Office published a report saying that substantial reform is needed in the way DEFRA, the Environment Agency, and Natural England operate. Our sister programme, Farming Today, has been exploring the UK cheese industry. We visit a Somerset cheddar maker, a goat's cheese maker in Carmarthenshire, and an exporter making the most of growing demand for UK cheese around the world.It may be more than a week since Storm Goretti unleashed hurricane force winds on Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly but rural businesses are still clearing up the wreckage.Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling

The National Audit Office, the public spending watchdog, has published a report looking at efficiency and effectiveness in England's environmental regulation. It found that complexity, outdated IT systems, skills shortages, and a risk averse culture were affecting how well DEFRA and the regulators Natural England and the Environment Agency are working. The NAO says that substantial reform is needed, but that it's optimistic there is the impetus and political will for change. The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland outlines progress on the Sustainable Farming Programme, and on efforts to cut pollution in Lough Neagh. The lough supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water and is facing what the Minister calls a 'biodiversity and ecological crisis'.Continuing our exploration of the UK cheese industry, we visit a Somerset cheesemaker whose products are found on the shelves of several major supermarkets.Presenter: Caz Graham Producer: Sarah Swadling

BRIAN PRICE chats to Paul Burke about FATAL SHOT, Mel Cotton, Chemistry, Biology and the Science of Crime, Terry Pratchett and common science mistakes by crime writers.Fatal Shot: Pleasure or murder? Was journalist Jenny Pike seeking extreme pleasure or was she murdered? Mexton police and her partner are suspicious. Things just don't add up. Who would want Jenny killed and why? If she was murdered, then why was there no trace of the killer? Deadly weaponsA mystery gunman is injured as his weapon blows up in his face. Someone is making blank weapons lethal. Mexton police are baffled. Meanwhile, a ruthless gangster is after a stolen laptop, and he will stop at nothing to get it back. What is on that laptop?A dangerous turf warSoon Mexton is in turmoil with illegal firearms, a vengeful crime boss and an impossible crime to solve. A turf war between drug dealers looms and the police seem powerless to stop it. Can DC Mel Cotton and her colleagues solve the riddles facing them without getting killed? Can a lethal conflict be prevented, before someone gets seriously hurt?Brian Price is a chemist and biologist who retired from the Environment Agency in 2016. He is the author of Crime Writing: How to write the science and runs a website offering tips on science for crime writers (www.crimewriterscience.co.uk). He taught at the Open University for 26 years. He has advised number of leading crime writers. Brian's first crime novel, Fatal Trade, was published by Hobeck Books in 2021. Fatal Shot came out in 2025.Find out more about Brian at www.brianpriceauthor.co.ukRecommended Bryan Mason, MW Craven, John Dixon Carr, Martin Edwards, Paul Durston, Mark Billingham, Kathryn Harkup, TG Reid.Paul Burke is the editor of Crime Time FM, Aspects of Crime and is a CWA Dagger judge. Produced by Junkyard DogCrime TimeCrime Time FM is the official podcast ofGwyl Crime Cymru Festival 2023 & 2025CrimeFest 2023CWA Daggers 2023 & 2024 & National Crime Reading Month& Newcastle Noir 2023 and 20242024 Slaughterfest,

City Hall is probing the surge in so-called “skinny jabs”, as London Assembly members warn of unlicensed sellers, counterfeit pens and off-label prescriptions. The hearing digs into how Londoners are accessing GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro — and whether people are being properly protected and informed.The Environment Agency has released new bathing-water rankings, showing a slight improvement across England's coasts and lakes — but river sites are still performing badly, with only two out of fourteen meeting basic standards. Plus, a landmark study in Wales has mapped its most threatened species, revealing around 3,000 plants and animals surviving in just a handful of locations. Also in this episode:UK firm Lacuna Space prepares to launch four new “Wisdom of the Trail” satellites to connect remote sensors directly to orbit.Tokyo astronomers report a potentially promising dark-matter signal in 15 years of Fermi telescope data.Fujitsu unveils an “ocean digital twin” to speed up certification of blue-carbon projects.Saudi Arabia's PIF faces scrutiny over finances amid its $55bn deal to buy EA.Battlefield 6 launches its free trial via Redsec, unlocking three playlists and maps until 2 December. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An over-21s bar in Sittingbourne could have its licence suspended after complaints about “irresponsible bottomless brunches” and "excessive noise”.Lang's Bar & Cocktail Lounge, in the town centre, could also have its opening hours cut back and manager removed following a hearing this week.  Also in today's podcast, a Maidstone woman who has a sight condition has told us about the moment she was almost hit by an e scooter.She was walking through an underpass with her guide dog Mabel when it happened and is warning parents against buying them as a Christmas gift this year. A swimming ban at a popular beach is to be lifted following the release of new water quality results.Deal Castle Beach was rated ‘poor' by the Environment Agency in November 2024, prompting advice to stay out of the water - with some swimmers also reporting feeling unwell after taking a dip.New proposals for a Traveller site have been submitted after it was revealed a previous plan was approved for the wrong field.Permission was granted for one mobile home, touring caravan and day room on a plot in Sole Street by the Planning Inspectorate earlier this year.And a Kent mountaineer who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan is getting ready to complete his latest challenge. Hari Budha Magar, from Canterbury, has been scaling the highest peaks on each of the seven continents and it about to head to Antarctica to tackle the final one.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eight weeks after taking up her post as DEFRA Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds has faced her first barrage of questions from the cross-party group of MPs at the EFRA select committee. MPs quizzed her about farming profitability, fishing policy, water pollution, border controls and illegal meat. They asked about environmental payments too and she acknowledged that mistakes had been made and lessons learned when the Sustainable Farming Incentive was suddenly suspended earlier this year.A report by the House of Commons' Welsh Affairs Committee is calling for the Government's inheritance tax on farmers to be halted, because it says the tax will have a detrimental impact on Welsh farming.The Environment Agency's warned that unless we see some serious rain, England will be in drought next year. We find out how this year's lack of water has affected the potato harvest.Mushroom growers face many challenges: rising energy costs; sourcing the staff to pick them; and finding alternatives to peat for growing the crop. We visit a family farm in Northern Ireland that's become one of the UK's biggest producers of organic mushrooms. Truffle cultivation isn't usually associated with Scotland but milder, wetter summers are providing new opportunities, according to one professor who's developing new methods of cultivating truffles.This year's apple harvest has been a bumper one, but with a small orchard on a small landmass, the family producing cider on Guernsey have had to find a creative way to supplement their crop.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

We hear warnings that unless we see some serious rain, England will be in drought next year. The Environment Agency says there will be widespread impacts on farming as well as nature and describes the current situation as 'precarious'. COP 30, the annual world meeting on tackling climate change is underway in Brazil. This one is notable perhaps for the leaders who've skipped it, neither the Chinese or American presidents are attending, but plenty of farmers are.All this week we are looking at growing mushrooms. We hear from a farming family in Leicestershire producing 25 tonnes of woodland mushrooms every week. Over the winter most of the sweetcorn, radishes, spring onions and chilli peppers sold by supermarkets will come from two farms in northern Senegal. The businesses involved say it's a win-win arrangement for the local communities, and more vegetables for the UK market are likely to be grown there in future.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Multiple failures from the Environment Agency, a lack interest from police and a ‘woeful lack of successful convictions'. That's what a House of Lords committee has found in its inquiry into ‘waste crime'. The inquiry from the cross party Environment and Climate Change Committee, says more than 38 million tonnes of illegal waste is being dumped each year often by organised crime groups involved in drugs, firearms, money laundering and modern slavery, and posing a serious environmental risk. Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK around 400 years ago. But since 2009 they have have been slowly reappearing in UK, re-introduced by wildlife and conservation charities. In Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland and the charity Trees for Life, have just relocated seven beavers into the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve.All week we're looking at invasive species. Zebra mussels grow to about the size of a fingernail and love to attach themselves to surfaces below the waterline, where they can do significant damage to things such as our water networks. We hear how South West Water is trying to stop them spreading through the waterways in Cornwall.Presenter = Caz Graham Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Owners of a huge holiday park have unveiled plans to replace it with hundreds of new homes and oust “illegal” occupants.Hundreds of caravan users, many of which are said to be living all-year round in breach of the rules, off a site on Sheppey could be asked to leave.Also in today's podcast, a shocking case of illegal dumping first uncovered by KentOnline has been singled out as evidence of “multiple failings” by environmental authorities.A House of Lords committee has written to the environment secretary calling for an independent review into how agencies handled the “egregious events” at Hoad's Wood, near Ashford.A father-and-son team who have been brewing and selling beer for more than a decade have been forced to close their award-winning business.They've bid their final farewell to punters after 12 years at Loddington Farm near Maidstone.Rob and Numi from kmfm Breakfast have met a 13 year-old boy who's raising money so his mum can have cancer treatment.Oscar is running 100 miles in October and the team joined him for a jog around a track in Canterbury. And in sport, we're told Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has been joining strategy meetings as he continues to recover from heart surgery.He's missed the last few games following the operation – you can hear from club chairman Brad Galinson who says he's making good progress.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When stating ISO Management System ‘compliance', that in reality means the conformance to ISO Standard requirements, compliance in ISO terminology actually refers to compliance with legal and other statutory regulations. It may sound like semantics, but the difference is distinct for a reason, as you don't get a ‘non-compliance' for not meeting requirements, rather you get a ‘non-conformity'. When it comes to compliance with the law as required by ISO Standards, you need more than a Legal Register to prove compliance. In this episode, Ian Battersby dives into what is meant by compliance in ISO, how this relates to legal and statutory requirements, and how businesses can effectively evaluate compliance. You'll learn ·      What is the difference between ‘Compliance' and ‘Conformity'? ·      What are the different types of compliance requirements? ·      How do Acts and Regulations work in tandem? ·      Who enforces legal compliance requirements? ·      Where do these requirements sit in ISO Standards? ·      How do you prove compliance within ISO management? ·      How do you evaluate effective compliance?   Resources ·      Isologyhub ·      From Silos to Synergy: The benefits of Implementing an Integrated ISO Management System Webinar registration   In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Upcoming webinar: If you'd like to learn more about the benefits of integrated management systems, feel free to register for our upcoming webinar here. [01:30] Episode Summary – Ian Battersby discusses the topic of compliance within ISO Standards, and how you can effectively evaluate it within your Management System.     [02:30] What is the difference between ‘Compliance' and ‘Conformity'? It's a common misconception that you ‘comply' with an ISO Standard, when in reality, you conform to an ISO Standard, hence why you can receive a ‘non-conformity' in audits and not ‘noncompliance'. When we talk about compliance within ISO Management, this refers to compliance with the law, regulations and other statutory requirements, as this is a requirement within all ISO Standards. [03:50] What are the different types of compliance requirements? There are many different types of law, Ian focuses on what is known as statute law legislation, as this is distinct from common law, case law and constitutional conventions. Statute law legislation is clearly written and can be cited in something like a Legal Register, or Register of Compliance Obligations. There are different types of legislation that you'll need to document, including: Primary Legislation: These are put in place by acts of UK Parliament and may have involvement from devolved administrations as well. Statutory compliance refers to compliance with primary legislation. An example of this type of legislation includes the Health & Safety at Work Act. Secondary or delegated legislation: Those primary Acts often require a lot more detail regarding the practicalities of applying them, which is delivered through Secondary or delegated legislation, otherwise more commonly known as regulations. These have more input from relevant public bodies to provide the requirements that can be applied. Both regulations are issues under Statutory Instruments (SI's), which are the formal legal vehicle that gives them effect. Put simply, regulations are the rules and Statutory Instruments are the legal mechanism which brings those rules into effect. [06:05] How Acts and Regulations work in tandem: Taking the Health & Safety at Work Act as an example, at the start this was quite a broad and generic act, it wasn't until years later that the workplace health, safety and welfare regulations came about to support the Act. This was further bolstered with the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations. Both regulations were developed through consultation between Government departments and other bodies such as the Health & Safety Executive. These regulations gave companies much more detail on what's actually required in order to comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act. [06:50] Who enforces legal requirements? – It's not just the police that enforce legal requirements, there are a number of other bodies independent of government and the judiciary that can enforce regulations and prosecute for breaches caused by organisations and individuals. This can include bodies such as The Health & Safety Executive, The Financial Conduct Authority, The Environment Agency and the Information Commissioners Office. There are more for other areas, and these are often the bodies involved in the development of specific regulations. [07:45] Where do these requirements sit in ISO Standards? As Is the case with ISO Standards, the requirement for compliance is sprinkled throughout the whole document. Starting with Clause 4 Context. Here ‘Interested parties' are a focus, of which regulatory bodies can be considered an interested party, as they control the regulations that you are required to comply with by law. Even if you don't think you fall under specific legislation, there are still general applicable business laws that all businesses must comply with. So this exercise is not simply a case of running a Management System, it's also about running an effective business.  Ian highlights clause 6.1.3 in ISO 45001, which states the need to determine legal requirements applicable to your business, whereas in ISO 14001 this clause talks about compliance obligations. Despite the difference in wording, they are essentially looking for the same thing, which is detailing what legal requirements you need to comply with. In ISO 9001 it also states that any products or services offered should meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. This is then further strengthened in the Leadership clause as leaders are required to ensure that their commitments meet all customer requirements, but also any applicable regulatory and statutory requirements associated with the products and service. This is phrasing that is repeated throughout ISO 9001. Going back to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001, both also require an evaluation of compliance, both the part of monitoring and measuring and the results of them to be submitted through your management review process. The Standards are very clear in that they require you to determine the frequency and methods for evaluation of compliance. [12:00] How do you prove compliance within ISO management? In ISO 45001 there is an appendix that give examples of what you can monitor and measure for the fulfilment and evaluation of legal requirements. As mentioned, many organisations opt to use a Legal Register which states all applicable legislation for your business that will be evaluated in an Internal Audit, but proving genuine compliance is much more than just acknowledging the legislation itself. For larger organisations, this can be a very burdensome task, especially if you find yourself in a position where legal requirements aren't being met. Ian provides an example to illustrate how to prove effective compliance: Waste removal is something that every business has to do, whether they do so through a waste management contractor, or through a landlord, the law states that any waste you generate must be removed, transferred, processed, treated, etc. by licenced organisation in a very specifically regulated fashion. You as an organisation or your landlord may receive an annual season ticket which includes the required demonstration of compliance, which can be in the form of West Carrier license number, the types of waste, the classification codes under the European or waste catalogue, dates and signatures. Now if you run into an instance where something on that waste transfer note was incorrect, like a wrong address or waste type, how do you prove that you were still compliant in the actual activity of removing waste? An Audit will pick up on the note discrepancies and you may be faced with being non-compliant. A way to ensure that you have a record of compliance is to keep electronic copies of all your waste transfer notes, and keep them in a central location, or even possibly linked within your Legal Register if possible. Despite the discrepancy, you will be able to prove that you have a prior record of compliance. Ian gives another example, you may have air conditioning in your area of work that's due for a service. The contractor will need to verify the engineer before you engage with them, including a check to see if they're competent under F Gas Regulations and hold a valid REFCOM Registration Certificate. If you wait to check / validate their certificates of competence, you may run into a situation where they may have an expired certificate at the time that they serviced your aircon, and so that may render that service as inadequate under your legal requirements. To avoid this, you should reference that you've evaluated the contractor within your Legal Register, this would include a check on their registration number and dates of when their F Gas competency certificates are valid, ensuring your service falls within those dates. In short, to demonstrate compliance, you should be keeping on-going records in relation to your legal requirements. These should also be readily available and easily accessible. [20:35] How do you evaluate effective compliance:  Legal requirements such as the Health & Safety at Work Act are much broader, and it can be difficult to know exactly what records you need to keep to prove compliance. This is where the supporting regulations can provide the required detail and provide a much clearer picture of what evidence is required. One example is the requirement to carry out sufficient risk assessments, which requires you to identify hazards, assess risks, determine control measures you know, communicate those to people, and review of those assessments regularly. You as the business will need to create a programme to manage the risk assessment process, and this should be documented somewhere, including a note of your review and action dates. This risk assessment list should also be linked within your Legal Register. In short, one of the most effective ways to show and evaluate compliance is to ensure that all relevant evidence is linked or attached in some way to a Legal Register or Register of Compliance Obligations. These evidence documents should be active and hold a record of previous actions and any planned upcoming actions. You could also schedule regular inspections of your legal compliance, to evaluate your level of compliance against different requirements on an on-going basis. The resulting reports can also be linked within the Legal Register. Don't just rely on Internal Audits to cover your legal compliance evaluation. Utilise dedicated legal compliance inspections, link all relevant evidence within your legal register and have on-going reviews and updates throughout the year.   If you'd like any assistance with implementing ISO standards, get in touch with us, we'd be happy to help! We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ●     Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ●     Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List

A new report into the health of waterways in National Parks in England and Wales claims that they aren't being properly protected from agricultural and sewage pollution. The research, from the Campaign for National Parks and Rivers Trust, has found that almost sixty percent of rivers and lakes in these areas are failing to meet the legal standard for 'good ecological status'.Whether it's doctors and dentists or banks and buses, services in the countryside are often harder for residents to access. According to the Rural Services Network, local authorities in rural areas get 40 percent less funding than their counterparts, and rural residents pay 20 percent more council tax. We hear from their Chief Executive Kerry Booth. This week, the Environment Agency announced that drought conditions are likely to continue into Autumn, with five areas of England remaining in drought status. With many of us seeing torrential rain over the past week, the news may come as a surprise. We speak to two farmers in different parts of the country - the traditionally wet West and the dry East, to hear about the impact of the weather this summer - and this week - on their businesses. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Jo Peacey. Farming Today This Week is a BBC Audio Bristol Production.

The Environment Agency announced this week that drought is likely to extend into the autumn for some areas. But September is making up for August's lack of rain and, where there have been heavy downpours, farmers are starting to hope for a little respite. Charlotte Smith talks to two dairy farmers: one in the dry East of England the other in the (usually) damp West about the swing from heatwave to showers.An organised crime gang has been jailed for machinery and vehicle thefts from farms, worth millions of pounds. Seven men were jailed for a total of twenty five years after pleading guilty at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday. We hear from the detective in charge of the investigation.And we continue our look at rural services, with buses.Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: A tide of effluent, broken laws and ruthless cuts is devastating the nation's waterways. An academic and a detective have dredged up the truth of how it was allowed to happen – but will anything be done? By Oliver Bullough. Read by Peter Searles. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

In this episode of Waterfall, Cath and Karen are joined by Stuart Sampson, National Drought Manager at the Environment Agency, to explore what really happens during a drought. Stuart explains how droughts are defined, why they differ from dry weather, and what Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) mean for households. He also shares the role of water companies in drought planning, the environmental impacts of prolonged dry spells, and what practical steps we can all take to save water. Full of expert insights and useful tips, this episode highlights why water resilience matters for us all.   Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest 01:08 – How dry has 2025 been compared to past years? 03:58 – What officially defines a drought? 09:59 – Understanding Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) 15:19 – What should water companies do during droughts? 21:17 – Environmental impacts of prolonged drought 26:22 – Key messages and practical steps for the public   Show notes Environment Agency

Ahead of the August bank holiday weekend we're being encouraged to visit part of the Kent coast - despite it's poor water quality rating.The owners of Dymchurch Amusement Park say there's more to do there than just swimming.Last November the Environment Agency downgraded the beach's water quality to poor and issued a no-swim warning.Also in today's podcast, a woman who moved to Kent when the war started in Ukraine has told the podcast she doesn't think the Russian president will ever agree to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Donald Trump has started plans to bring the leaders together after meeting them separately over the past week. Hear from Margarita Bondarenko who's from Kyiv and now lives in Canterbury, she's been speaking ahead of Ukrainian Independence Day this weekend.A Medway nurse is urgently fundraising for immunotherapy after being diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer.Charlotte Flannery was told the tumour on her ovary has fewer than 100 recorded cases and she needs £70,000 for further treatment to prevent it from returning.In sport, it's another home game for Gillingham this weekend.They welcome top of the table Crewe Alexandra to Priestfield looking to maintain their unbeaten run in league two. Hear from defender Andy Smith and manager Gareth Ainsworth.Cricket, and Kent have won their latest game in the One Day Cup.The Spitfires bowled Northamptonshire Steelbacks out for 243 and reached the victory target with seven wickets to spare.And, the Women's Rugby World Cup gets underway later with England taking on the USA.It's hoped the tournament will encourage more girls to get involved in the sport. We've been speaking to a young player from Medway Rugby Club.

Half a million pounds is going from the UK Government to a project aiming to improve soils in Ukraine. The ongoing research, being run by the Royal Agricultural University, has identified significant damage to soils from the war there - things like heavy metal contamination from bombardments. The new money will help set up soil labs. We speak to the professor leading it and a farmer in Ukraine.Small changes in the way a river catchment is managed can have a big impact - reconnecting floodplains, re-wiggling rivers and slowing the flow upstream can reduce the flood and pollution risk and encourage more biodiversity. A ‘whole Cumbria strategy', which involves three River Trusts, the Environment Agency and Natural England – has just been named as one of only four finalists for a prestigious global award, the Thiess International River prize. It's up against river projects in the USA and Albania. We see the kind of work the Cumbrian River Restoration Partnership Programme is doing in the Lake District.The Environment Agency's urging farmers to think ahead and get ready for storage of slurry this winter.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Today, the Environment Agency reported a 60% rise in serious pollution incidents by water companies within a year. There were 2,801 pollution incidents in England in 2024, the highest on record, up from 2,174 in 2023. The cross-party Public Accounts Committee called the situation “woeful” and said regulators were “missing in action.” The data comes ahead of a landmark review of the water industry, to be published on Monday. Adam is joined by Esme Stallard, Climate and Science Journalist, and Joe Crowley, Investigative Journalist who has made three BBC Panorama documentaries on the industry. Also, doctors say eight UK babies have been born using genetic material from three people to prevent devastating and often fatal conditions. Adam discusses this with James Gallagher, Presenter of Inside Health on Radio Four.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a whatsapp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gabriel May. The social producers were Grace Braddock and Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Environment Agency says there was a big increase in the number of serious water pollution incidents recorded in England last year. The watchdog says water companies were behind the serious contamination of rivers and streams on seventy-five occasions -- that's a a rise of 60 percent on the year before. Also, Donald Trump calls the Wall Street Journal a "pile of garbage" newspaper -- as he denies its report that his name was on a lewd birthday greeting to the sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. And heath chiefs warn of the risks of botulism from cosmetic procedures.

The Government is carrying out a farming profitability review in England, to inform policy. There's been a call for evidence and practical solutions. We ask the National Farmers' Union what could be done to help.Out in the sunshine at the Great Yorkshire Show - pig showing and curly fleeced Wensleydale sheep.A new strategy for tackling rural crime across Wales will offer greater protection for people and wildlife in the countryside, according to the Welsh government. Priority areas include tackling damage to ancient monuments, or heritage crime, and attacks on livestock, with new awareness courses for animal owners.Chronic bee paralysis has been in bee populations for thousands of years, but cases are rising in the UK and it's estimated up to 2% are affected. The disease is not notifiable so doesn't have to be reported, and bees can have the virus and not show symptoms. We speak to Professor Giles Budge who's working on the disease at Newcastle University.The Environment Agency is increasing the number of inspections on farms to tackle pollution and poor practice. We join an inspector making a return visit to a farm in Shropshire.All week we're taking a deep dive into the UK's shellfish industry. Almost 90% of the mussels produced in Scotland are grown in Shetland. We visit a farm which produces 1000 tonnes a year on long ropes dotted on 24 sites around the islands. We also visit Oban where scientists are working on a trial to selectively breed our native oysters to make them more resilient to climate change and pollution. Presenter = Caz Graham Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The Climate Change Committee report shows little progress on the reduction of emissions from agriculture and substantial action still needed.Many UK supermarkets have made public commitments to sourcing 100% of their beef from the UK. But in recent months some seem to be moving away from these pledges. We ask how much beef is being imported, from where, and why.A group of farmers are seeking a judicial review over the decision to re-impose inheritance tax on some farm businesses. Work has begun to clear more than 30,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from a Kent woodland, in an operation led by the Environment Agency.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Livestock moving into Wales from England will have to be tested for the disease bluetongue from the first of July, after the Welsh Government decided not to join England in a nationwide restriction zone. Wales and Scotland have no cases of bluetongue so far this year and hope testing and vaccination will keep it out. But livestock organisations say it'll cause chaos at the borders with huge delays and financial losses for farmers. This week the Chancellor unveiled her spending review, which resulted in relief among some farmers, who'd feared big cuts in budgets for environmental projects. In the event, while there is a cut, it's not as big as many had feared - £2.7b will go to sustainable farming and nature recovery in England; there's also investment in flood defences. Defra though is facing cuts to its own budget of 2.7%, which some worry will land on arms length organisations like Natural England and the Environment Agency. All this week we've followed the journey of a loaf of bread from seed to milling into flour. We find out what challenges seed breeders and farmers face in producing the perfect grain of wheat. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sally Challoner.

The Environment Agency says the north west of England is in drought. One farmer tells us this year's crops are already ruined because of a lack of water.Two proposed reservoirs have been given 'nationally significant' status by the government to speed up the planning process. Decisions on the Lincolnshire Reservoir which is planned for an area near Sleaford and the Fens Reservoir near March in Cambridgeshire will now be accelerated. Ministers say the law will also be changed so that in the future all projects which are, as they put it, 'fundamental to national water resilience' will automatically be designated as 'nationally significant'. Farming communities are concerned about the impact on productive farmland, and one farmer says the Lincolnshire scheme will wipe out her home and her business.All week we're talking about the nation's national parks. The Scottish Government's decided not to go ahead with plans for a new national park in Galloway. After a long legal battle supreme court judges ruled that wild camping is allowed on Dartmoor, we speak to the park's chief executive. In Wales we report on a nature recovery project in Pembrokeshire which works with farmers to enhance farmland by the coast. In The Broads Norfolk farmers and environmentalists are trying to tackle the damage being caused by deer. Golden Eagles have been extinct in England since 2015 when a solitary bird died in the Lake District. But could that be about to change? A conservation project in the south of Scotland which began in 2018 has seen a huge increase in the eagle population there, and some of those birds have begun exploring places like the Northumberland National Park where one was spotted just a few weeks agoPresenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Scottish farmers are being warned to prepare for a possible summer drought. SEPA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued a water scarcity alert as 17 river catchments are so low. In England the Environment Agency says two thirds of rivers are below normal or lower for the time of year. This week we're digging into the world of potato production - none of which would be possible, of course, without healthy, disease-free seed to get the crop started. Growing seed potatoes is a high-value, tightly regulated, specialist sector, and in the UK it's largely concentrated in Scotland where the disease risks are lower thanks to a cooler climate. Europe was a key market for Scottish seed, but Brexit changed all that. The EU's plant protection rules mean the trade is no longer allowed. However growers haven't given up on resuming exports and efforts continue. The asparagus season is underway, traditionally, the spears of this tender crop are only picked from 23rd April, St George's Day, to 21st June, the longest day of the year. It's crucial for growers to have their best produce ready at the right time. Not only that, getting it to market and making sure it's quality is perfect can pay real dividends when supplying top end restaurants and catering. We join one grower who welcomed the whole supply chain to his farm to see how the asparagus they buy from him, is grown.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Under Arnolds Field, tonnes of illegally dumped waste have been burning for years, spewing pollution over the area. Locals fear for their health – and despair that no one seems willing to help By William Ralston. Read by Sam Swainsbury. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

The Climate Change Committee has called for a transformation in agriculture in its latest report. The CCC advises the UK government on ways to reduce emissions in order to meet net zero by 2050. Its 7th report sets out a plan from 2038 to 2042, and recommends a 27% drop in the number of cattle and sheep, and that we all eat less meat. It wants to see more woodlands, more peatlands re-wetted and more energy crops like miscanthus. Scientists at Scotland's Rural College have been feeding cattle an extract from daffodil bulbs to help reduce methane. The ground-breaking research aimed at reducing emissions is called "dancing with daffodils".Fly tipping is on the up - the latest Environment Agency figures for England show more than a million incidents of rubbish being dumped on public land last year, up 6% from the year before. Those stats don't include fly tipping on farms, and the Country Land and Business Association says in its latest survey, 90 per cent of respondents reported having rubbish - from fridges to tyres - dumped on their land in the past year. Rural groups and councils are calling for tougher penalties for fly tippers.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Send us a textEpisode 269 - Luke Kozak on Fishing, Friends and the EAI sat down and chatted with my friend Luke after eating a good breakfast and casting a few rods.I talk with him about his fishing career, when he used to guide with me, the places he likes to fish and the people he has met along the way.We also talk about the conservation work he did on rivers before joining the Environment Agency. He speaks about what is happening behind the scenes there.I hope you'll enjoy the conversation as much as I did

Having created a watchdog for the environment, the government took its teeth out and muzzled it. Can public outrage rouse the Environment Agency to action? By Hettie O'Brien. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod