Podcasts about rural affairs

Previewing a Rural Business Transitions Webinar Series with Michael Delany from the University of Illinois Extension and Norm Walzer from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.  Monthly visit with Jenna Spychal from the Illinois Specialty Growers Association and Jonamac Orchard. Highlighting Farmer Veteran Coalition of Illinois "Farmer Veteran of the Year" Ed Dubrick from Iroquois County, who also participates in the Illinois Farm Bureau A-LOT program or Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow. 

Rural grocery stores are more than places to buy food — they're anchors for small-town economies and community life. In this episode, Deborah Solie of the Center for Rural Affairs and Charlotte Narjes of the University of Nebraska Cooperative Development Center discuss a new Rural Grocery Store Learning Cohort designed to help store owners strengthen operations, build community connections and plan for long-term sustainability.They explain the challenges rural grocers are facing, what participants can expect from the cohort and why peer learning and collaboration are key to keeping local stores viable. Whether you own a store, work in rural development or care about the future of small-town Nebraska, this conversation offers insight into what it takes to keep rural grocery stores thriving.Find out more and apply by March 6 here: https://www.cfra.org/rural-grocery-store-learning-cohort-online

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, which caused devastation to thousands of farms across the country. Around 6.5 million animals were culled, with a cost to the UK economy of £8 billion. Charlotte Smith meets a farmer whose animals were destroyed in the outbreak, and speaks to UK Chief Vet Christine Middlemiss about the risk of another outbreak - and whether the response would be different.The issue of biosecurity at our ports has been in the spotlight in recent months. Dover Port Health Authority announced its highest ever monthly total of seizures of illegal meat - finding 34 tonnes of it in January. We hear from chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee Alistair Carmichael MP, who gives us his reaction to the latest figures.Sheep shearing is an international business, with skilled shearers travelling the world to work across different countries. Many shearers who come to the UK are from Australia and New Zealand and have previously been allowed entry into the country each year via a special concession for highly skilled workers. This year, the UK Home Office has decided not to give this special temporary access. The National Association of Agricultural Contractors say these shearers are essential to the farming industry, and are warning that sheep welfare may be compromised without them.Farm vets are vital to any livestock business, but there's a shortage of vets wanting to work on farms. We join a cattle vet on a visit to a Wiltshire farm to hear about her role and Charlotte speaks to BVA president Rob Williams, who explains some of the reasons behind the shortage.Farming Today This Week was presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Jo Peacey. A BBC Audio Bristol production.

Over the past few weeks farmers have been protesting, at ports and around supermarket distribution centres. Why? They say it's a combination of things, from concerns about the impact of imported food to the prices supermarkets pay for UK produce, along with continuing anger over inheritance tax on farms. The Government has raised the threshold, now farmers can pass on a farm worth up to £2.5m without being affected but some say that not enough and they want the tax scrapped. Civil servants will be spending time on farms. The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed a 4 year contract with the Allerton Project to provide training to all its staff and 'deepen their understanding of modern British Agriculture".Artificial intelligence is having an impact on many businesses around the world and farming is no exception, so this week we're looking at AI in agriculture. From monitoring the health of crops to measuring their uptake of water and improving animal welfare AI is already being used all around the country.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

A new report published by the think tank The Resolution Foundation says the government's goal of 'net zero' across the UK, could force less profitable farms into debt, and lead to 3,500 farms losing money. It says progress to decarbonise farming has been slow and there is no 'silver bullet' which will do the 'heavy lifting' for the sector to reduce its impact on climate change. It advises that policymakers should intervene to ensure costs are passed to the consumer.The Ulster Farmers Union has accused the Northern Ireland government of failing to support young farmers following the closure of one scheme last year and with another also about to come to an end. The Young Farmers Payment Scheme closed in 2025 - though the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs says successful applicants will continue to get top up payments for five years. The pilot Farming for the Generations scheme was designed to support farming families planning for succession. It's closing next month and DAERA says there will be an evaluation before the scheme is relaunched. Many things make it difficult to get a toe-hold on the farming ladder, not least the availability and cost of buying land. Some people though, are determined to overcome those challenges, against the odds. We meet a young couple who realised their dream by leaving behind their city lives in York and moving hundreds of miles to Scotland, to a croft in the Western Isles.Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Civil servants should spend more time on farms, to understand the problems they face. That's according to Baroness Minette Batters, who's been facing questions from MPs on the Environment Farming and Rural Affairs committee. She was speaking about her Farming Profitability Review for England, which was published just before Christmas. There are 57 recommendations in the review, all of which, she told MPs, should be implemented. The questioning was very wide-ranging from fairness in the supply chain, to the viability of agri-environment schemes, and the impact of trade agreements with countries such as Australia.All week we're discussing animal feed. For many years, organic pig and poultry producers have been able to feed their animals with up to 5% non-organic feed. However on 1st January the rules changed. Now, in line with EU regulations, any birds over 30 weeks old, and pigs over 35kg must be fed a 100% organic diet. We visit an organic pig farmer and an organic poultry farmer to find out how it's affected their business.Defra has said non-organic pig and poultry producers will be able to feed their animals processed-animal-protein or PAP. It's made from the left over carcasses of pig and poultry, or insects. Since BSE or mad cow disease, it has been illegal to feed processed-animal-protein or PAP to farm animals in the UK. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

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

The Oxford Farming Conference took place last week, with many inspiring sessions and a speech from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds. In this episode host Peter Green is joined by Managing Director of Agricola Growers, Jeremy Oatey, who was at the conference, to review what was said and to look ahead to the rest of 2026. Are there topics you'd like us to cover or guests you'd love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs.Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.ukFor our podcast disclaimer click here. If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk 

Dr Jessica Tipton, or Jess as she is known, is head of the National Education Nature Park at the Natural History Museum, a project commissioned by the Department for Education as part of its Sustainability and Climate Strategy.In 2020 Jess founded the UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) as head of youth networks at Global Action Plan. She led a delegation of students to the COP26 global climate summit and instigated the annual online Youth Climate Summit.In addition to all of the above, Jess has worked as a policy adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and has researched Russia and international climate policy.But Jess didn't set out for a career in sustainability. She studied Russian and French, and played the clarinet to a high standard. The common theme running through everything she has done is contributing to events, society and positive things. That's what the National Education Nature Park project is all about – introducing children of all ages and young people to their outdoor spaces and connecting them to the power and pleasure of nature. In this episode Jess explains how she landed her high profile job (the project was visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales in the summer of 2025) and why she considers languages an subject choice through which to launch yourself into anything.Jess thinks of herself as a Jack of all trades - and as explained, has enjoyed a portfolio career – but she has never had a plan for her career, and that means she's never been bored either. In fact, at the time the recording she was about to embark on a role researching and translating Russian literature – particularly environmental and feminist themes – at the University of East Anglia.A key career tip from Jess is to enjoy what you are really good at and go and study that rather than targeting an environmental science degree at university - then take your values into other areas of work and spread the word.Mentioned in this podcastNational Education Nature ParkNatural History Museum garden visit DEFRA careersHow Bad Are Bananas? Mike Berners-LeeYou might also like to listen to:Johnathon Miller-McCall S5 E6Divya Kumar S4 E4Katie Goldsbrough S5 E1Rachel Warren S1 E7About ProGRESS:Host Sandra Fraser invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.Instagram: @progress_green_careers_podcastLinkedIn: ProGRESS, the green, values-led careers podcastOriginal content © Sandra FraserOriginal music © Lyze KessellEmail: hello@mypro-gress.comExpect revelations, lightbulb moments and an informative listen on ProGRESS, with plenty of insights as guests explain how and why got into their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible career or course (the GRESS of ProGRESS) with plenty of tips if you want to do the same. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Alliance Party MLA for North Down, on suspected cases of bluetongue virus confirmed as BTV-3 near Bangor Co.Down.

The government's new environmental improvement plan for England is launched today. The Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs has set out what it calls 'an ambitious roadmap' with a 'clear plan to restore the environment.' That encompasses a new plan to stop pollution from forever chemicals, tougher measures on waste crime and more tree planting. They also highlight £500 million worth of funding for the landscape recovery schemes, long term, big scale projects where landowners work together to improve nature. We ask Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of 94 environmental and wildlife groups, what they make of the plan. Storm Desmond hit the North West of England 10 years ago and brought record breaking amounts of heavy rain: a month's worth fell in just 24 hours. That led to flooding, bridges, roads and livestock were washed away, farmland ruined and thousands of homes inundated. The eventual bill for the damage was put at more than a billion pounds. In Glenridding in Cumbria the flooding led to a project working with farmers, nature and the landscape. Its aim: to try and reduce the vulnerability of the area to future flooding. All week we're going to look at the jobs left for winter when things on the farm are a bit quieter. We're starting with hedge laying: winter is the traditional time to tackle this - the birds have long finished nesting, and by partly cutting through the trees and shrubs that you lay over to form the hedge, you allow it to rejuvenate in time for next spring. Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

ABOUT THIS EPISODEToday's guest is Nicola Bettesworth, Defra Chief People Officer, Group Corporate Services, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I had the joy of meeting Nicola when she was looking for a leadership partner to work with her and her leadership team. We very quickly built our relationship, and have enjoyed a true partnership for a number of years. I greatly admire Nicola, her vision and her passion and am looking forward to her sharing her leadership story today.In our conversation Nicola shares and offers valuable insights into:Contribution and Community;How Everyone Matters, Everyone Counts;The importance of knowing who you are, and of choices;Making every single moment count.To connect with Nicola: Email her on: nicola.bettesworth@defra.gov.uk To listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend:Go to my website: www.annitownend.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing, and to Louisa Penny of Penny Writing for the marketing of the podcast.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website www.annitownend.com, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn. I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

Tulika Gupta, DESNZ interviews Ed Dyson and Simon Mundy from DEFRA on the EPPS duty under the Environment Act 2021 and our roles as policy makers and lawyers in applying this duty. Ed Dyson is joint head of the Environmental Principles Team, which supports the implementation across government of the environmental principles duty in the Environment Act 2021. In addition to work on a wide range of policies in DEFRA, and secondments to HM Treasury and the former Department for International Development, his experience includes a research scholarship in wildlife management in Japan, and a secondment to the Deer Initiative advising on wild deer management in England and Wales.Simon Mundy MBE (DEFRA Legal Advisers, Government Legal Department) is a Senior Lawyer working in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where he has helped to deliver major changes to environmental legislation and policy in the UK. He has served in the Civil Service for 33 years both as a lawyer and (originally) as a chemist, whilst simultaneously undertaking charitable work in his local community as a school governor for over 20 years. This podcast is a combined effort of CSCEN and Greener GLD, a green society of the Government Legal Department.

When the structure, pace, and purpose of humanitarian life suddenly fall away, what fills the space that's left?In this Embodying Change special, host Melissa Pitotti brings together Jennifer Lentfer and Hasangani (Hasi) Edema-Reynolds to explore the eight themes that come up again and again in peer support groups for humanitarians navigating change: identity, commitment, rhythm, balance, boundaries, resonance, joy, and connection.Through storytelling and deep reflection, they trace a path from loss to renewal, asking what it means to stay true to your purpose while rebuilding your life beyond your job title. If you've ever questioned who you are outside of your work, this conversation will help you find language, hope, and solidarity for the road ahead.Today's guestsJennifer LentferFarm girl turned aid worker turned writer, coach, and communications strategist. Jennifer runs EE Consulting, curates the blog How Matters, and shares poetry and collage at JenniferLentfer.com. Formerly named one of Foreign Policy Magazine's “100 Women to Follow on Twitter,” she supports people to usher in political courage, cultural humility, and an ethic of care within social change organizations. She recently became the Director of Communications for The Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska, USA.→ Connect with her on Linkedin. Hasangani (Hasi) Edema-ReynoldsA humanitarian professional and researcher bridging the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Over nine years, particularly in fragile and post-conflict contexts, Hasi has built expertise in multi-sector response, recovery and resilience programming, humanitarian advocacy, program management/implementation, and fundraising.  Currently with CDA Collaborative Learning, she supports action research on accountability, conflict sensitivity, and shifting power, and advises on responsible transitions and organizational change.  She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a Master's in Humanitarian Assistance from Tufts University. Outside work, Hasi finds joy in singing, piano, painting, and travel.→ Connect with her on LinkedIn. You'll learnWhy grieving the loss of a professional identity is a vital first stepHow to honor commitment to communities while pivotingRhythms and boundaries that sustain life after intense rolesWays to translate humanitarian experience so it resonates beyond the sectorWhy joy and connection are essential, not luxuries, for renewalSimple practices to keep peer support alive between meetingsResources recommendedConnexUs Stopping As SuccessCDA Collaborative Learning ProjectsReimagining Research Course offered by Pause and EffectWhy Resisting Urgency is the First Step in Transforming Organizational Cultures, Bridge of Hope Summit (2025)Donor Transformation Challenge, CIVICUS, 2024Visiter Genève, guided tours by Catherine Hubert-GirodPoem: The Death of the Change MakerBy Jennifer Lentfer Shared with permission. Originally published on How Matters: https://www.how-matters.org/2020/05/04/the-death-of-the-changemaker/I gaze deep into the rectangle below.There, at the bottom of the six feetlays the changemaker.The creator of grand, heroic strategy and ideasto change everything, at once,to change minds and behaviors and alignment,magically.Oh changemaker, how close you lived toconquer and capture and control and contract,how tightly you gripped, fixed,how you wrestled your longing forcertainty, comfort, convenience,how you constructed causation,how you were only taught/thought one way.How you relied on fanciful linearity,determinate, ambitious, utilitarianforce of will plodding, plotting, spent, alone!How you thought you had to carry it all…Now changemaker, laying there in this plot,unable to influence…anythingamidst the falling shovelfuls of soil.There, there, I lay — the irony of former self-elevationno longer lost on me.The earth will fill in my body,its softness, loaminess reclaimed —dismantled and expanded without all the effort.Need, renewal, security looms.It is already welded-ly woven.The maker will be rebirthed.We don't know when,but up through the dirt,the small, incremental, devoted changer may arrive.-----------------------Join the conversationIf this episode sparked something in you, share your reflections on LinkedIn and tag us!  

A cross party group of MPs are warning that UK food production could drop by almost a third, by 2050. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture also says that by 2050 - assuming all Government targets were met in full - almost a quarter of current UK farmland could be used for other purposes including renewable energy, housing, and nature restoration. The group is publishing a report today calling for the most productive farmland to be protected and for output to increase 30%, with 50% less environmental impact by 2050.The Ulster Farmers Union says it has no confidence in Northern Ireland's Department for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs. The UFU says DAERA's handling of a range of issues, from TB in cattle to a Nutrients Action Programme aimed at improving water quality with better management of manure and fertilisers , has led to 'deep dissatisfaction' among its members. And we take a closer look at seeds on the programme this week.Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Emma Harper To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government has had any initial response from the UK Government in relation to the letter sent to the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs on 22 October regarding the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund. Roz McCall To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that Babcock, in Fife, has had to hire workers from overseas as a result of reductions in some college courses. Pauline McNeill To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is regarding the reported 200,000 public sector workers who are still waiting on their pension entitlement following the 2018 McCloud judgement on pension discrimination. Ash Regan To ask the First Minister for what reason the Scottish Government has reportedly abandoned key provisions of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, including the proposed licensing system, as communities prepare for potential disorder during Bonfire Night. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

Senator Perry is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs. He was also Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding during the recent special session of the Legislature. He is a visionary and a leader in addressing the severe water issues facing Texas. Larry and Senator Perry discuss how his faith informs his work as a CPA and a legislator, the flooding in Texas during July 2025, particularly the tragic deaths of the Camp Mystic "Heaven's 27," and Proposition 4, which Texans will vote on November 4th. Proposition 4 will provide additional funding for water supply, infrastructure repair, wastewater management, and flood control in Texas. 

An independent review of the way pigs are slaughtered has called for the use of carbon dioxide gassing to be prohibited, because it causes too much distress and pain to the animals. 90% of pigs reared in England and Wales are slaughtered this way. The report was carried out by the Animal Welfare Committee, an independent expert committee from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Scottish government and the Welsh government. It recommends that argon gas should be used instead. We speak to vet Dr Jane Downes, who led the Animal Welfare Committee at the time the report was prepared. We also speak to the National Pig Association.All week we're looking at beer and cider. One of the biggest cider producers in the UK, producing 65 million litres every year, is Westons, based in Herefordshire. The business started in 1880, and now works with 180 apple growers and orchard owners in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire – the heart of apple country. We visit the production line.Presenter: Anna Hill Producer: Rebecca Rooney

China has been in a rush to harvest autumn grains, the mainstay of the country's annual grain production. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs says more than 60 percent of the nation's autumn grain crops have been harvested.

Chinese women are gaining greater rights to development in the economic sector, especially in the digital economy, and their talent has shone through thanks to their perseverance, improved educational background and working abilities.中国女性在经济领域（尤其是数字经济领域）正获得更充分的发展权利。凭借坚韧的毅力、不断提升的教育水平和工作能力，她们的才华得以充分展现。Xie Mingli, 27, who switched her job from an education consultant to a cross-border e-commerce live-streaming anchor in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in 2024, said it was an interesting choice to make, as she believes that women have the power to tackle challenges in both life and work.27岁的谢明丽（音译）于2024年在广东省深圳市从教育顾问转行成为跨境电商直播主播。她表示，这是一个有趣的选择，因为她认为女性有能力应对生活和工作中的各种挑战。"As a girl, I was told to stick to established practices like getting a bachelor's degree, finding a stable job and then getting married. But my mother, who is self-employed, has always encouraged me to try new things and never lose my curiosity or courage," she said. "I worked as an education consultant for two years after finishing my postgraduate education, and I think it's time to move on to another interesting career."“从小到大，总有人告诉我要遵循既定路径：拿到学士学位、找份稳定工作，然后结婚。但我母亲是个体户，她一直鼓励我尝试新事物，不要丢掉好奇心和勇气，”她说，“研究生毕业后，我做了两年教育顾问，现在我觉得是时候开启另一份有趣的职业了。”Xie is among the growing number of women starting their career or getting higher engagement in the digital economy in recent years, thanks to the government's greater support for enhancing women's rights to development and for improving their digital literacy.近年来，在政府加大对女性发展权利保障力度、提升女性数字素养的支持下，越来越多女性进入数字经济领域就业或加深参与度，谢明丽便是其中之一。According to a white paper recently released by the State Council Information Office, which explains China's philosophy, principles and practices in promoting gender equality and women's well-rounded development in the new era, female employees comprise about 43 percent of the nation's total workforce, with the proportion maintained at that level since 2012.国务院新闻办公室近日发布一份白皮书，阐述了新时代中国促进性别平等和妇女全面发展的理念、原则与实践。该白皮书显示，女性从业人员占全国从业人员总数的比例约为43%，自2012年以来这一比例始终保持在该水平。The latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that as of the end of 2024, female employees totaled around 320 million, accounting for 43.4 percent of the nation's total workforce, indicating women's fuller engagement in economic development.国家统计局最新数据显示，截至2024年底，女性从业人员总数约3.2亿人，占全国从业人员总数的43.4%，这表明女性正更充分地参与经济发展。In addition, women account for over half of the entrepreneurs in the internet sector, and roughly one-third of the nation's workers in new forms of employment, including digital trade, e-commerce and livestreaming, the white paper said.白皮书还指出，在互联网行业创业者中，女性占比超过一半；在数字贸易、电子商务、直播等新就业形态从业人员中，女性占比约三分之一。Early in 2022, AliResearch, the research arm of the Alibaba Group, released a report that said China's digital economy has created 57 million job opportunities for women, which has increased their value in the job market and expanded their employment space.2022年初，阿里巴巴集团旗下研究机构阿里研究院发布报告称，中国数字经济已为女性创造5700万个就业机会，提升了女性在就业市场中的价值，拓宽了她们的就业空间。The report said that as of 2022, there were about 23.58 million female shop owners on the Chinese online shopping platform Taobao, and 12.44 million female livestreaming anchors on Taobao and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.报告显示，截至2022年，中国在线购物平台淘宝上的女性店主约有2358万人；在淘宝和抖音（TikTok中国版）平台上，女性直播主播达1244万人。Xie, the anchor, said that women have gained more respect, in addition to more equal returns and pay, and she believes the gender gap will continue to narrow in the future.主播谢明丽表示，如今女性不仅获得了更平等的回报与薪酬，还得到了更多尊重。她相信未来性别差距将进一步缩小。"When I was at school, seniors often said that employers preferred men as they would not be bothered by 'problems like giving birth'. I'm grateful that I didn't meet such discrimination, and I have been paid on a par with male workers, both at my previous job and the current one," she said.“上学时，学长学姐常说，雇主更倾向于招聘男性，因为男性不会受‘生育等问题'影响。我很庆幸自己没有遇到这种歧视，无论是上一份工作还是现在的工作，我的薪资都与男性同事持平，”她说。"Women do have an equal, or even bigger, right to speak in the job market, as we possess excellent working abilities, especially in some e-commerce-related areas, where women can show higher affability and approachability," Xie said, adding that she is happy to see more women from different walks of life get involved in the digital economy, in which they can not only make a living but also create some social values.“女性在就业市场中拥有平等甚至更充分的话语权，因为我们具备出色的工作能力，尤其是在电商相关领域，女性更能展现出亲和力与易沟通的特质，”谢明丽补充道。她表示，很高兴看到各行各业有更多女性参与到数字经济中，在这里她们不仅能谋生，还能创造社会价值。Feng Ling, vice-president of the All-China Women's Federation, said at a recent news conference in Beijing that women are riding the digital economy wave, thanks to the government's continuous efforts to improve their digital literacy and give them skills training and financial support.全国妇联副主席冯玲（音译）在近期北京举行的新闻发布会上表示，得益于政府持续提升女性数字素养、提供技能培训与资金支持，女性正积极拥抱数字经济浪潮。The Outline for Women's Development in China (2021-30), released in 2021 by the State Council, the country's Cabinet, has set a target of enhancing women's ability to use information technology to get engaged in socioeconomic high-quality development, she said, noting that several other State-level programs have also set targets and offered solutions to improve women's ability to get access to online entrepreneurship and forge their digital skills.她说，2021年国务院（中国政府内阁）发布的《中国妇女发展纲要（2021-2030年）》明确提出，要提升女性运用信息技术参与经济社会高质量发展的能力。她还指出，其他多项国家级规划也设定了目标并提出举措，旨在提升女性开展网络创业的能力、培养女性数字技能。"The women's federation, together with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has organized training programs for women in the countryside since 2015 to teach them to make short videos and sell agricultural produce online," Feng said.冯玲表示：“自2015年起，全国妇联联合商务部、农业农村部，为农村女性开展培训，教授她们制作短视频和线上销售农产品。”"Also, women starting or running their own businesses can get support through the nation's inclusive financial services. More women have realized their personal value in the digital economy sector, and turned into a strong force to push forward the development of the digital economy," she added.“此外，创业或经营企业的女性可通过国家普惠金融服务获得支持。越来越多女性在数字经济领域实现了个人价值，成为推动数字经济发展的重要力量，”她补充道。female employees in the digital economyn.数字经济领域女性从业人员 /ˈfiːmeɪl ɪmˈplɔɪiːz ɪn ðə ˈdɪdʒɪtl ɪˈkɒnəmi/female livestreaming anchorsn.女性直播主播/ˈfiːmeɪl ˈlɪvstriːmɪŋ ˈæŋkəz/

Populations of birds which live on farmland have declined sharply since the 1970s, although there are signs the rate of decline is now slowing. We visit projects to improve habitats for Nightjars in Staffordshire and Corncrakes on the Isle of Lewis. This week a Wild Summit bought together voices from all sides of the debate to discuss how to reverse the biodiversity crisis. Farming Today hears from conservationists and farmers, agreeing that current policies are 'fractured'.The Commons' Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs committee has published a highly critical report claiming that illegal meat imports are increasing and that the authorities don't have adequate resources to tackle the problem.And, is the appointment of a new Secretary of State for DEFRA a chance to reset the relationship between farmers and the Government?Presenter: Caz Graham Producer: Sarah Swadling

Today we welcome Mairi Gougeon to the R2Kast!

fWotD Episode 3004: Liz Truss Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Saturday, 26 July 2025, is Liz Truss.Mary Elizabeth Truss (born 26 July 1975) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from September to October 2022. On her fiftieth day in office, she stepped down amid a government crisis, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in British history. The member of Parliament (MP) for South West Norfolk from 2010 to 2024, Truss held various Cabinet positions under three prime ministers—David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson—lastly as foreign secretary from 2021 to 2022.Truss studied philosophy, politics and economics at Merton College, Oxford, and was the president of the Oxford University Liberal Democrats. In 1996, she joined the Conservative Party. She worked at Royal Dutch Shell and Cable & Wireless, and was the deputy director of the think tank Reform. After two unsuccessful attempts to be elected to the House of Commons, she became the MP for South West Norfolk at the 2010 general election. As a backbencher she called for reform in several policy areas including the economy, childcare and mathematics in education. Truss co-founded the Free Enterprise Group of Conservative MPs and wrote or co-wrote a number of papers and books, including After the Coalition and Britannia Unchained.Truss was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Childcare and Education from 2012 to 2014 before Cameron appointed her Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a cabinet reshuffle. Although she campaigned for Britain to remain in the European Union, Truss supported Brexit following the outcome of the 2016 referendum. Following Cameron's resignation in 2016 his successor, Theresa May, appointed her Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, making Truss the first woman to serve as Lord Chancellor in the office's thousand-year history; in the aftermath of the 2017 general election she was demoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury. After May announced her resignation in May 2019 Truss supported Johnson's successful bid to become Conservative leader and prime minister. He appointed Truss Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade in July and subsequently to the additional role of Minister for Women and Equalities in September. Johnson promoted Truss to foreign secretary in the 2021 cabinet reshuffle; during her time in the position, she led negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol and the British response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.In September 2022, Truss defeated Rishi Sunak in a leadership election to succeed Johnson, who had resigned because of an earlier government crisis, and was appointed prime minister by Queen Elizabeth II two days before the monarch's death; the government's business was subsequently suspended during a national mourning period of ten days. In response to the rising cost of living and increased energy prices, Truss's ministry announced the Energy Price Guarantee. The government then announced large-scale tax cuts and borrowing, which led to financial instability and were largely reversed. Facing mounting criticism and loss of confidence in her leadership, Truss announced her resignation as leader of the Conservative Party on 20 October. Sunak was elected unopposed as her successor, and appointed prime minister on 25 October. After spending the duration of Sunak's premiership on the backbenches, Truss lost her seat at the 2024 general election.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:37 UTC on Saturday, 26 July 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Liz Truss on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Stephen.

A County Clare village is said to be devastated, following the tragic death of a mother and her two children in a shooting incident in Fermanagh. 45 year-old Vanessa Whyte from Barefield and her children Sara and James Rutledge, who were aged 13 and 14, died following the incident at a house in Maguiresbridge yesterday. A murder investigation is underway, following the incident at a house on the Drummeer Road yesterday morning. Emergency services were alerted after a 999 call was placed from inside the house. Vanessa Whyte was found dead alongside one of her children, while the second child later succumbed to their injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A man, who also suffered gunshot wounds, remains in a serious condition in hospital. PSNI Superintendent Robert Magowan says they're investigating a suspected murder and attempted suicide. An Garda Síochána has been assisting the PSNI in liaising with family members in Clare. Barefield native Vanessa Whyte, who attended secondary school at Coláiste Muire in Ennis, moved to Fermanagh several years ago. The Veterinary Surgeon was employed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Enniskillen. Both she and her two children Sara and James have been described as active members of two local GAA clubs; St Mary's Gaelic Football Club in Maguiresbridge and St Patrick's Hurling Club in Lisbellaw. The Mayor of Ennis says those who knew her are devastated and in shock following news of the tragic incident. Councillor Mary Howard believes the Barefield community will rally around their family in this time of unimaginable grief.

Walescast comes from the Royal Welsh Show - the biggest agricultural festival in Europe. James kicked things off with Nigel Farage MP, Reform UK's leader, following the news that Laura Anne Jones MS has defected to his party after more than 30 years with the Welsh Conservatives. They also discuss farming and what's he has in store for the Senedd elections. James then caught up with Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd MS and Welsh Conservative Samuel Kurtz MS on all things farming and the latest news. He rounded of the busy day in an interview with Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies who is also the Minister for Rural Affairs.

Has the National Food Strategy for England been watered down? We hear reports that a Food White Paper expected in the spring has been dropped. The Welsh Government announces its new Sustainable Farming Scheme. Some environmental groups are calling it a missed opportunity. We hear from the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs on what's being described as a 'once in a generation' event.And plant breeders in Scotland have unveiled a UK-bred blueberry. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Conor D McGuinness TD, has slammed the Government's failure to include Amhrán na bhFiann anywhere in the national curriculum . Conor discuss further with Shane.

China's Ministry of Education has rolled out a series of measures to stabilize and expand employment for college graduates, with a focus on creating opportunities in private enterprises and grassroots positions.中国教育部出台了一系列措施，旨在稳定和扩大高校毕业生就业，重点是在民营企业和基层岗位创造机会。In a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance, education authorities have extended one-time employment subsidies — previously limited to businesses — to include social organizations.教育部与人力资源和社会保障部、财政部协同合作，将此前仅面向企业的一次性就业补贴范围扩大到社会组织。A combination of tax incentives, employment subsidies, job expansion grants and guaranteed loans are being deployed to encourage private and smaller businesses to hire recent graduates.政府正综合运用税收优惠、就业补贴、岗位拓展补贴和担保贷款等手段，鼓励民营企业和小微企业吸纳应届毕业生。Authorities are also working to create jobs in emerging industries and frontline sectors. An initiative to expand vacancies in State-owned enterprises is being implemented to address employment needs in key development areas.有关部门还在新兴产业和一线行业创造就业岗位。一项扩大国有企业招聘岗位的举措正在实施，以满足重点发展领域的就业需求。To boost employment at the grassroots level, China has expanded programs to help more college graduates from the class of 2025 secure positions in rural and western regions.为促进基层就业，我国扩大了相关项目规模，帮助更多 2025 届高校毕业生在农村和西部地区找到工作。Local governments are tailoring employment policies to their economic and industrial strengths. In Shanxi province, 26,000 new employment opportunities have been created, while the Inner Mongolia autonomous region has launched a community volunteer service program to recruit 5,000 individuals.地方政府正结合自身经济和产业优势制定就业政策。在山西省，已新增 2.6 万个就业岗位；内蒙古自治区启动了社区志愿服务项目，计划招募 5000 人。Henan province is hiring 5,000 village-level coordinators to contribute to rural vitalization efforts, while Sichuan province has opened 40,000 jobs in sectors such as justice, social work and agriculture. Jiangxi province is providing monthly job subsidies to 5,000 graduates employed by small and medium-sized enterprises, the ministry said.教育部表示，河南省正在招聘 5000 名村级协管员，为乡村振兴贡献力量；四川省在司法、社会工作、农业等领域推出了 4 万个岗位；江西省为 5000 名在中小企业就业的毕业生提供月度就业补贴。Education and labor departments are coordinating efforts to connect graduates with job opportunities, helping nearly 100,000 students from about 300 universities secure positions.教育部门和劳动部门正协同发力，为毕业生对接就业机会，已帮助约 300 所高校的近 10 万名学生找到工作。Special attention is being given to graduates from low-income households and those with disabilities. The education ministry has partnered with the Communist Youth League of China Central Committee to run a one-on-one mentorship program that pairs university staff with vulnerable graduates. As of June 27, nearly 10,000 graduates had received personalized support.重点关注低收入家庭毕业生和残疾毕业生。教育部与共青团中央合作开展一对一导师帮扶计划，安排高校工作人员与困境毕业生结对。截至 6 月 27 日，已有近 1 万名毕业生获得个性化帮扶。With financial backing from the Ministry of Finance, the education ministry is also expanding a program that provides training and job placement services. So far, 100,000 students from the class of 2025 have completed training, and 1,124 job fairs have been held under the program, offering more than 1.1 million positions.在财政部的资金支持下，教育部还在扩大一项提供培训和就业安置服务的计划。截至目前，2025 届已有 10 万名学生完成培训，该计划下已举办 1124 场招聘会，提供超过 110 万个岗位。Several provinces are increasing funding and resources for the training program. Shanxi, for example, is building five provincial-level training centers and adding 6,400 training slots for vulnerable graduates.多个省份正在为该培训计划增加资金和资源投入。例如，山西省正在建设 5 个省级培训中心，并为困境毕业生增加 6400 个培训名额。The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has launched a campaign to help graduates from formerly impoverished households find jobs. In Hainan province, universities have created 475 public service positions for graduates involved in the campaign, each subsidized at 2,010 yuan ($280) per month.农业农村部启动了一项帮助原贫困家庭毕业生就业的行动。在海南省，各高校为参与该行动的毕业生设立了 475 个公共服务岗位，每个岗位每月补贴 2010 元（约合 280 美元）。As graduation season peaks, local authorities are urged to maintain close contact with graduates still seeking employment and to ensure a smooth handover of their information to labor departments for continued support. Vocational training opportunities are also being expanded for those looking to enhance their skills and improve job readiness.随着毕业季迎来高峰，有关部门要求地方政府与仍在求职的毕业生保持密切联系，确保将他们的信息顺利移交劳动部门，以便继续提供支持。同时，为那些希望提升技能、增强就业能力的毕业生提供更多职业培训机会。subsidy /ˈsʌbsədi/ 补贴；补助金vitalization /ˌvaɪtəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ 振兴；活化mentorship /ˈmentəʃɪp/ 导师制；指导关系vocational /vəʊˈkeɪʃənl/ 职业的；行业的

The government is unlikely to be able to cope with a severe outbreak of animal disease like Foot and Mouth, according to the National Audit Office. In a new report, it says key public bodies including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, have been working so hard to manage outbreaks of diseases like avian flu over the last six years, that long term resilience is being undermined and there is no long-term strategy.The artificial fertilisers that farmers put on their crops are generally produced using the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch method. The process has a large carbon footprint, but we find out about research to find a biological alternative to chemical fertiliser.And we meet cattle foot trimmer, Dave Phillips from Dorset, who will be representing England at this year's World Foot Trimming Cup!Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons

In this episode, we talk with Howard Cox, a strong advocate for motorists and critic of the UK government's environmental policies, particularly concerning Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ). Howard discusses the growing resistance to ULEZ and Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs), highlighting recent successes by local councils against these measures. Representing FairFuel UK, he shares findings from a poll indicating significant opposition to net zero policies and critiques the government's taxation on motorists. The conversation also touches on the hypocrisy of public figures regarding climate action, animal welfare in religious practices, national security issues, and the current political landscape, including the rise of Reform UK. Lastly, we address changes in vaccination policies, with Howard expressing cautious optimism for public health shifts. The Week According to Howard Cox @HowardCCox France could scrap its version of Ulez Group of MPs want to get rid of low-emission zones calling them ‘punitive' and ‘anti-social'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/09/france-could-abandon-its-version-ulez/ Rupert Lowe MP @RupertLowe10 I have written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs requested a full review into the scale, regulation, labelling and future legality of non-stun slaughter - including halal. This is a debate we need to have. I will update you when he responds...https://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/1928059039591661596 Exclusive: China Praises Starmer's Chagos Sellout Offering ‘Massive Congratulations' to Mauritius https://order-order.com/2025/05/29/exclusive-china-praises-starmers-chagos-sellout-offering-massive-congratulations-to-mauritius/ Ben Habib @BackBrexitBen Tommy Robinson was jailed for showing a film — a civil case turned criminal by political decree. This isn't about whether you like him. It's about whether you're OK with the state deciding who gets free speech — and who gets prison.https://x.com/BackBrexitBen/status/1927454767501988086 Katie Hopkins @KTHopkins Jail looks good on you, Stephen  You have the heart of a bloody lion.And those who caged you are right to feel the fear.  Even in solitary, YOU WERE NEVER ALONE. WE ARE MANY. AND WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER https://x.com/KTHopkins/status/1927323034685198505 Secretary Kennedy @SecKennedy Today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from  @CDCgov recommended immunization schedule. Bottom line: it's common sense and it's good science. We are now one step closer to realizing  @POTUS's promise to Make America Healthy Again.https://x.com/SecKennedy/status/1927368440811008138 Rubio targets foreign nationals who he alleges police Americans' social media posts https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/28/marco-rubio-social-media-europe-00372280 Connor Tomlinson @Con_Tomlinson Lucy Connolly has been refused Right of Temporary Leave to visit her husband and daughter because the prison authorities decreed she expressed “extreme views”. This has now been changed to  “strong opinions”.https://x.com/Con_Tomlinson/status/1927615653365633402 How will Reform UK pay for its pledges and policies? Nigel Farage has promised up to £80bn of tax cuts and spending rises, but can he really pay for them by axing net zero and diversity and inclusion initiatives?https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/how-reform-pay-pledges-policies-j2kw7zkrr Nigel Farage Is Voters' Last Choice To Be Prime Minister, Poll Shows, https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/nigel-farage-is-most-unpopular-choice-for-uk-prime-minister_uk_68358a37e4b0b885650d00ac Dr. Maalouf ‏ @realMaalouf This mosque in East London blasts the Islamic call to prayer five times a day, the earliest one at 5 am. This is what everyone has to wake up to! No wonder British people have become a minority in London. Who would want to live here?https://x.com/realMaalouf/status/1927194911641669788  VIDEO Howard Cox @HowardCCox I have said on behalf of #fairfueluk that the only way EVs can succeed is to legally but unfairly knock out Diesel/Petrol cars via the draconian 2030 ban, keep tax subsidies and remove any vehicle tax. Well it seems this u-turn infested government is to do exactly that. And tens of millions of fossil fuel drivers will have to pic up the tab. This is not a free market economy, it's a state control attack on our freedom to drive and choose what we want to drive.  @Ed_Miliband @Keir_Starmer @RachelReevesMP. https://x.com/HowardCCox/status/1927384014240788612 Connect with Howard Cox Non-Governmental & Nonprofit Organization  - fairfueluk.com

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: Five million payphone calls are still made each year in the UK. Who is making them – and why? By Sophie Elmhirst. Read by Emma Powell. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Sean Park, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, on the impact of dollar stores in rural communities.  CHS Agronomist Kurt Lahr discusses two products. Kevin Raber, Wabash County, on the heavy rains experienced in southern Illinois last week.

Send us a textIn this month's episode of the QMS Red Meat Podcast, we're joined by Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, for an exclusive deep dive into the latest Scottish Government policies impacting the industry.We'll discuss:✅ The future of Scotland's red meat sector amidst evolving agricultural policies✅ Government strategies to support farmers, butchers, and processors✅ Balancing food security, biodiversity, and climate goals✅ The challenges and opportunities for the sector over the next five years✅ What makes Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork stand out globallyWe also get a personal insight from the Cabinet Secretary on her favourite Scottish red meat dish!Plus, we'll hear updates from Sarah Millar on industry developments and Iain Macdonald on the latest market trends across cattle, sheep, and pig sectors.Don't forget to subscribe for more expert discussions each month!

This week we're taking a closer look at the rural lives of islanders around our shores. A survey by the Young Islanders Network found the biggest concern for young people in Scotland's islands, is housing – or a lack of it. We speak to people about some of the problems they've faced - and some of the solutions.The Environment Food and Rural Affairs select Committee of MPs has been grilling the farming minister Daniel Zeichner about the repercussions of suspending the Sustainable Farming Incentive, or SFI, which gives payments to farmers for environmental work. Thousands of farmers have already joined, but it was abruptly closed to new applicants on 11th March. Trees are being planted on Dartmoor to help alleviate flooding. A team lead by the National Park Authority is using a method developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki which plants a wide variety of native species close together to encourage rapid tree growth.Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Sofía Bosch Gomez, Becky Miller, Ania Karzek and Jett Pisate Virangkabutra are designers and researchers working on environmental sustainability. This panel was recorded during the International Design in Government Conference held in Helsinki (2024). The title of the panel was: Transforming Public Services: Intercontinental perspectives to addressing sustainability. This panel is an intercontinental and transdisciplinary discussion on sustainability in the context of the development of public services. The cases presented were on sustainable services related to garbage management, farmers advice to motivate sustainable farming, women security and strategic city planning.  We explored the most significant mistakes made, how their projects operate across organizational boundaries, and strategies to support emerging sustainability challenges. Dr. Sofía Bosch Gómez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Art + Design at Northeastern University's College of Arts, Media, and Design. She is also affiliated with the Burnes Center for Social Change and The GovLab. As a designer and researcher, she explores the intersection of public service innovation, design research, and education.Becky Miller works as a policy and service designer in the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Since 2022 she's been working on the Farming and Countryside Programme helping to develop new policies and services for farmers and land managers in England. She was the first service designer to work in the UK's cross-government Policy Lab (2019-2022), and previously worked on digital transformation of local government services. Before joining UK Civil Service, she worked in small businesses and service organisations including London's award winning music venue, Union Chapel. Ania Karzek has a Master of Arts in Public Sector Leadership and more years in government than she'd care to count. Ania has worked across a number of disciplines, including water, environment, government reform, social services, child protection and most recently, local government. She has also seen how ‘the other half live', having worked in the private, university and not for profit sectors in consulting and operational management roles. For several years now, Ania has been championing human-centered technology and data ethics and has pleaded with audiences to think slowly, broadly and deeply about the impacts of their technology choices. A disruptive policy wonk by trade, Ania has a passion for connecting the art of the possible with the care we need to take in making it happen. Jett Pisate Virangkabutra is the Founder of Create.ture - a social innovation consultant and adjunct lecturer at Thammasat University, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi and Mahidol University. Currently his focus is on creating innovation with a Human centred design approach and Service design methods to work with both the public and private sectors  on social innovation, sustainability, and design for justice. This panel is part of the lists: Diseño feminista, Diseño sostenible, Australia y diseño, Reino Unido y diseño, México y diseño, Transporte, D&D in English. The "D&D in English" list includes all the episodes published in English. So far, we have 30 episodes available. Over time, we've been building a solid collection, and if this is your first time listening to us, now you know there's plenty more to explore!

Red Tractor has responded to an independent review into the assurance scheme. A report, published earlier this year, recommended more than 50 changes to the Red Tractor scheme, which is supposed to hold farmers to meet high standards on animal welfare, food quality and business governance. We speak to the interim chair about the changes Red Tractor's making as a result.The Environment Food and Rural Affairs select committee has been hearing more evidence about how border control points are managing biosecurity for food and plants. Industry experts have been telling MPs that the post-Brexit system of checks which came into force last spring are expensive and inefficient and just not up to the job.This week we're delving into the different methods of egg production. Today we find out how colony eggs are produced. We visit Farmlay Eggs in Aberdeenshire, a family business with an output of seven million eggs a week, the majority of which are free range. However, the farms also have colony - or caged - hens whose eggs mainly go to the catering sector, although some are also sold to retailers. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Lecture summary: Property is a fundamental legal institution governing the use of things: who may own what, how and why. Given that such questions extend to a wide range of natural resources essential to human well-being, such as food, water and shelter, then it is reasonable to assume that human rights should play an important role in shaping property rights discourse and practice. And yet this assumption is somewhat misplaced. The relationship between property and human rights and property remains relatively underdeveloped in both practice and academic literature, and virtually non-existent when we move to the maritime domain. In this paper, I explore and question the role that property and human rights can and should play in the maritime domain. I outline how such rights arise and are protected under human rights instruments, before exploring how they might inform the moral and legal distribution of resources. In particular, I focus on how we might balance individual rights and public interests that arise in respect of property, and how these are informed by the nature of the oceans as a commons.Richard Barnes is Professor of International Law at the University of Lincoln and Adjunct Professor of Law at the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea, the University of Tromsø. His current research focuses on the human right to property, ocean commons, and the BBNJ Agreement. He is widely published in the fields of international law and law of the sea. Property Rights and Natural Resources (2009), won the SLS Birks Book Prize for Outstanding Legal Scholarship. He has edited several collections of essays including Research Handbook on Plastics Regulation (2024), Frontiers in International Environmental Law. Oceans and Climate (2021), Research Handbook on Climate Change, Oceans and Coasts (2020), and The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: A Living Instrument (2016). Professor Barnes a member of the ILA Committee on the Protection of People at Sea. He has acted as a consultant for the WWF, Oceana, ClientEarth, the European Parliament, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He has also provided advice to foreign ministries. He has appeared numerous times before Parliamentary select committees on matters related to law of the sea, fisheries and Brexit. He is on the Editorial Board of International and Comparative Law Quarterly, the International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law, the New Zealand Yearbook of International Law, the German Yearbook of International Law, and the Portuguese Yearbook of the Law of the Sea.

Welcome back to season 11 of Down the Garden Path podcast! After a winter hiatus, landscape designer Joanne Shaw is excited to kick off a new podcast season revisiting new topics and old favourites while gaining valuable wisdom and advice from industry experts. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: Plans for the new season, including interviews with experts and authors in the landscape and horticulture industry Her recent experiences at the Landscape Designers Conference and Landscape Ontario Congress: At the Landscape Designer Conference, keynote speaker Dr. Allan Armitage, a professor from Atlanta, spoke about transforming chaos into contentment. This concept of transforming a chaotic outdoor space into a contented and enjoyable environment emphasizes the importance of curb appeal and year-round outdoor enjoyment. During the Landscape Ontario Congress, Joanne attended a talk by OMAFRA, (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) that discussed the impact of the box tree moth on the boxwood industry including prevention methods and treatment options: It has spread across most of Ontario and Quebec since its first sighting in 2017 and has caused significant damage to boxwood plants. While efforts to contain the moth have been unsuccessful in the east, they have managed to prevent its spread to Western Canada. Joanne discusses potential remedies, including using a bacterial spray (Btk) but notes that frequent application is necessary due to the moth's voracious appetite. Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss? Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect via her website at down2earth.ca Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Resources mentioned during the show Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden What's Wrong With Your Boxwood? Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

Is Scotland's salmon farming industry on a sustainable path? In this episode, we hear from Finlay Carson MSP, Convener of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, and Deputy Convener Beatrice Wishart MSP as they discuss the findings of the Committee's latest report. With calls for stronger regulation, more research and urgent action from the Scottish Government, they outline what needs to change to ensure the industry can grow sustainably.   Read the full report on the Scottish Parliament website.

Rachel is both a racing 'insider' and an academic - she has worked in horse racing for over 20 years and she obtained her PhD from the University of Bristol in 2023 for her work developing a racehorse welfare assessment protocol. This welfare assessment has been trialled by industry assessors to gather population level racehorse welfare data. The welfare assessment has also been used to monitor the welfare of Military Working horses from the Household Cavalry and racehorses in Hong Kong.  In this episode we talk about the practicalities of racehorse welfare assessment, the small changes that can result in big improvements, and the importance how young Thoroughbreds are managemed on stud farms to set them up for a good life in racing. Rachel is currently an Equine Technologist at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland and is a post-doctoral researcher at University College Dublin (UCD).   Rachel's research output is available on ResearchGate  

There has been a 'lack of progress' from the Scottish Government in implementing reforms recommended for the salmon farming industry, according to MSPs. Members of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in the Scottish Parliament warned that such delays could be 'detrimental to the long-term viability' of the sector. Farmer protests against the introduction of inheritance tax are continuing up and down the country, with more planned for the end of the month. But many agree that the row has at least made families talk about what should happen when one generation passes on the farm to the next. Professor Matt Lobley from Exeter University says while around 60% of farmers in their 60s have a successor lined up, the transfer of ownership can be a painful process.This week we'll be looking at some of the jobs that need to be done at this time of year to ensure the maintenance of the farm all year round. Today it's fencing, vital for keeping animals in, and your neighbours' animals out.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

As England is now the one part of the UK allowed to grow gene edited crops, what does that mean for trade with partners like the EU? We discuss the latest promises on legislation with Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs...and a farmer who's growing precision bred crops.Twenty years ago the idea of robotic milking for cows may have seemed far-fetched, but today it's not uncommon, with an estimated 10% of UK dairy farms using automated systems. We visit a farm in Wales to see the kit in action.And the creation of new, small abattoirs to replace those we've lost should be supported by Government funding - that's according to the Rare Breed Survival Trust. It comes as Newman's Abattoir in Hampshire is now set to shut its doors at the end of January - the latest in a long line of closures.Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons

In this episode of the ServiceNow EXECUTIVE CIRCLE Podcast, host Kat Finch delves into the world of digital innovation with Paul Mukherjee, CTO of Defra. Since joining in early 2024, Mukherjee has been steering the digital transformation of the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, addressing challenges like legacy systems and data silos while seizing opportunities presented by AI and technology. Mukherjee shares Defra’s AI strategy, highlighting its potential in areas like customer service chatbots, satellite-driven environmental monitoring, and streamlining ministerial correspondence. He emphasizes the importance of responsible AI adoption, balancing sustainability concerns with productivity gains. The conversation explores how AI can enable predictive analytics, hyper-automation, and entirely new policy outcomes, envisioning a future where technology drives innovation and delivers real value. Tune in to discover actionable insights on how technology leaders can align digital tools with strategic objectives to create transformative change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Northern Ireland Executive has published its draft budget for 2025-26 and it's now open for public consultation. Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is set to receive just over £715 million pounds, an increase of 3%. But no specific funding has been allocated to address serious pollution in Lough Neagh and Andrew Muir, the environment minister, says his department has only been awarded around a third of what he'd requested for day to day spending. He describes it as ‘a difficult budget'. Historic farm diaries provide a fascinating glimpse into agricultural, social and cultural life in years gone by. So curators at the Three Rivers Museum in Hertfordshire were excited to unearth a diary written in Victorian times by a farmer from Rickmansworth called John White. Masters students at the University of Hertfordshire have been scrutinising the diary entries to see if there's anything that John's observations from 150 years ago might teach farmers today. Rearing and selling turkeys for Christmas has become a major source of income for some family farms, including Cuckoo Mill Farm at Pelcomb Bridge, in Pembrokeshire. And at this time of year, it's a real family affair, with all hands on deck. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Welsh government has backed down on its policy to insist farmers put ten percent of their land into woodland. The decision came after farmers demonstrated against the government's plans for its Sustainable Farming Scheme, or SFS, which replaces the payments to farmers under the old EU Common Agriculture Policy. The SFS still includes previous ambitions of supporting sustainable food production, rewarding farmers for mitigating climate change and enhancing the environment. The Welsh government hopes the changes will encourage more farmers to join in. We speak to Deputy first Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who is also Secretary for Climate and Rural Affairs in Wales, and get reaction to the changes.All this week we're looking at winter vegetables. Some winter veg has to be harvested by hand which is labour intensive and costly. That used to be the case with Brussels sprouts - but over the last decade that's changed and now some farms have invested in self-propelled machinery to carry out the harvest. We visit a grower in Perthshire to see how it's done.Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The budget for agriculture in Scotland comes from the UK Government - but as of two weeks ago, it's no longer ring fenced. The change has attracted criticism from farming groups. But the DEFRA Secretary, Steve Reed, has defended the decision, saying his Government believes in devolution, and that comes with the power to decide where money is spent. We hear from Scotland's Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon.A change to the Suckler Support Scheme in Scotland aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making calf production more intensive. It's being introduced as part of the country's new Agriculture Act, and it's rooted in the idea that more efficient beef farming means less carbon and less methane. Some beef farmers, however, fear it could have an impact on animal welfare as well as some farm incomes.And "Farmer Time" is an initiative set up by Cambridgeshire farmer, Tom Martin, which connects teachers with farmers, so children can have regular catch ups with a farmer. So far ten thousand pupils have enjoyed lessons enhanced by their own ‘class farmer' through a live video-link and the initiative is one of our three finalists in the "Farming for the Future" category of this year's BBC Food and Farming Awards.Presented by Caz Graham Produced by Heather Simons

Following the Budget, Caz Graham is in Cumbria to hear farmers' reactions to the news that inheritance tax will apply to farms from April 2026.The National Farmers' Union tells us farming is being "bled dry" and has "nothing left to give".The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, confirmed that next year's farming budget for England remains unchanged at £2.4 billion.There was no mention of nature in the Chancellor's speech, something the Wildlife Trusts highlighted, saying "the UK Government must commit to long-term strategic funding for nature's recovery and provide greater funding for environmental regulators".Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

We look at how the Budget affects agriculture and farming businesses. Inheritance tax will apply to farms from April 2026. The National Farmers' Union tells us farming is being "bled dry" and has "nothing left to give". The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, has confirmed that next year's farming budget for England remains unchanged at £2.4 billion. There was no mention of nature in the Chancellor's budget speech, something the Wildlife Trusts highlighted, saying "The UK Government must commit to long-term strategic funding for nature's recovery and provide greater funding for environmental regulators". Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Hedgehogs have been moved up the red list of threatened species by the International Union for Conservation. The IUCN says the European Hedgehog is in worrying and widespread decline, and it has moved it from "least concern" to "near threatened". We ask the Mammal Society why hedgehogs are a cause for concern.All week we're digging down into the subject of soil. Northern Ireland is running one of the most comprehensive soil nutrient sampling schemes that any country has ever undertaken. The £37 million 'Soil Nutrient Health Scheme', funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs aims to sample nearly every one of Northern Ireland's 700,000 or so fields. It's believed the results could help farmers improve their soils, better manage nutrient application and reduce nutrient loss to water bodies, not least Lough Neagh.  Many crops have suffered with the wet weather this year. For vineyard owners, the wet has encouraged detrimental diseases and low yields. For organic wine producers, the options to combat the effects of a wet summer are minimal. We visit a vineyard where this autumn's harvest is half what it should be, because of the weather. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Today we welcome George Eustice onto the R2Kast. George, the former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, shares his journey into politics, starting from his early years working on the family farm in Cornwall. He discusses the challenges they faced in agriculture, which sparked his interest in political matters.