Podcasts about rural affairs

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

From lotus root dishes to fiery hotpot, the animated blockbusterNe Zha 2 has ignited nationwide culinary trends, turning meals inspired by the film into social media sensations.从藕菜到火辣辣的火锅，动画大片《哪吒2》点燃了全国范围内的烹饪潮流，以电影为灵感的美食也成为了社交媒体上的热点。The feature has surpassed Avengers: Infinity War to become the sixth highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide, according to the Lighthouse Professional Edition, a box office data provider owned by Alibaba.根据阿里巴巴旗下票房数据提供商灯塔专业版(Lighthouse Professional Edition)的数据，这部动画电影已经超过《复仇者联盟3:无限战争》，成为全球有史以来票房第六高的电影。In the movie, the body of Ne Zha, a mythical demon child, is reborn from lotus root starch. Off-screen, sales of lotus root starch, lotus root soup and other dishes featuring the plant have surged, with restaurants embracing the ingredient in new and inventive ways.在这部电影中，神话中的魔童哪吒的身体是用莲藕重生的。银幕外，藕粉、藕汤和其他以这种植物为特色的菜肴的销量激增，餐馆以新的、创造性的方式接纳了这种食材。Meanwhile, a scene featuring the Octopus General — who speaks in a Tianjin dialect — being roasted in the furnace has turned the local specialty of stir-fried squid tentacles into a viral hit.与此同时，一个讲天津方言的章鱼将军在炉子里被烤的场景，使当地的特色菜炒鱿鱼足火了。Across the country, restaurants are rolling out Ne Zha-themed drinks, dishes and set meals, blending cinematic fantasy with real-world flavors.全国各地的餐馆都在推出哪吒主题的饮料、菜肴和套餐，将电影中的幻想与现实世界的味道融合在一起。One of the most memorable aspects ofNe Zha 2 is Taiyi Zhenren's distinctive Sichuan-accented Mandarin. This linguistic touch has unexpectedly turned hotpot — a Sichuan province culinary staple — into a marketing success, with restaurants seizing the opportunity to attract customers.《哪吒2》最令人难忘的一点是太乙真人的四川口音。这种语言的接触出人意料地使火锅——四川的一种美食——成为一种营销上的成功，餐馆抓住机会吸引顾客。In Sichuan's Yibin, Zha Hotpot eatery — already designed with Ne Zha-themed decor — has become a hot spot for fans eager to snap photos with installations inspired by the character's iconic huntianling (red armillary sash) and fenghuolun (wind-fire wheels).在四川宜宾，一家以哪吒主题为装饰的哪吒火锅店，已经成为粉丝们争相拍照的热点，店内的装置灵感来自哪吒标志性的“混天绫”和“风火轮”。The restaurant has also introduced a Ne Zha-inspired menu featuring meatballs, lotus root starch and seafood, all of which have quickly become favorites.这家餐厅还推出了受哪吒启发的菜单，包括肉丸、藕粉和海鲜，所有这些都迅速成为人们的最爱。In Sichuan's Chengdu, Feng Xiao Zhang Hotpot launched a promotional campaign where diners who posted a video wishing the restaurant success on social media could win aNe Zha 2 movie ticket if their post received over 30 likes.在四川成都，冯校长火锅推出了一项促销活动，食客只要在社交媒体上发布祝福该餐厅成功的视频，并获得30个点赞，就能赢得一张《哪吒闹海2》的电影票。"I love a good hotpot, but when it's both delicious and fun, that's even better," said Zhang Xuan, a tourist from Xi'an, Shaanxi province.“我喜欢好吃的火锅，但如果火锅既美味又有趣，那就更好了，”来自陕西西安的游客张轩说。Meanwhile, the hotpot chain Banu markedNe Zha 2 surpassing 10 billion yuan ($1.38 billion) at the box office by introducing the Honghu lotus root dish across its locations nationwide.与此同时，火锅连锁店巴努在全国各地推出了洪湖莲藕，来纪念《哪吒2》的票房突破了100亿元人民币(13.8亿美元)。The dish was an instant success, with strong sales from the moment it launched, according to staff.据工作人员介绍，这道菜一经推出就大获成功，销量强劲。In Sanya, Hainan province, Cinker Pictures Mega has taken the trend a step further by offering a hotpot-and-movie experience, allowing guests to enjoy a meal while watchingNe Zha 2 in a special screening room.在海南三亚，Cinker Pictures Mega将这一趋势更进一步，提供火锅和电影的体验，让客人在特殊的放映室里一边吃饭一边看《哪吒2》。"The hotpot wasn't particularly outstanding, but the ingredients were fresh," wrote a Dianping user, Yuxiaoman. "I cried just as much during my second watch — such a great film! Finally got to experience eating hotpot while watching a movie — absolutely amazing!"“火锅味道不出彩，但食材很新鲜，”大众点评网用户于晓曼写道。“我第二次看的时候还是哭了——这么棒的一部电影!终于可以一边看电影一边吃火锅了，太棒了!”Coffee shops and dessert cafes are also embracing the Ne Zha phenomenon. In Dalian, Liaoning province, JY & Sweetime has launched Ne Zha-themed cakes and coffee, featuring an illustration of the character and the motto, "My fate is determined by me, not by the heavens."咖啡店和甜品店也在追捧哪吒现象。在辽宁省大连市，JY & Sweetime推出了哪吒主题的蛋糕和咖啡，上面印有哪吒的形象和座右铭:“我命由我不由天"The Oreo cream filling was decent, but the design was incredible — super fitting for the theme!" wrote a Dianping user named "Woconglaimeiheguoshui".一位名叫“我从来没喝过水”的大众点评用户写道：“奥利奥奶油馅还可以，但设计太不可思议了--超级符合主题！”。Meanwhile, Cotti Coffee has announced an official collaboration withNe Zha 2, rolling out a new product series on March 17, complete with themed packaging and limited-edition merchandise.”与此同时，库迪咖啡宣布与《哪吒2》正式合作，于3月17日推出新系列产品，包括主题包装和限量版商品。Pop culture boost流行文化助推AsNe Zha 2 continues to attract large audiences, its impact on the food and beverage industry highlights how pop culture is reshaping consumer trends — one meal at a time.随着《哪吒2》继续吸引大批观众，它对餐饮行业的影响凸显了流行文化如何重塑消费趋势——一餐一景。"The film has not only gone viral but has also driven the growth of the entire lotus root supply chain," said Zhao Jinqiao, a 42-year-old restaurant industry researcher.42岁的餐饮业研究员赵金桥表示:“这部电影不仅火了，还推动了整个藕供应链的增长。”Zhao said it is not the first time film and television have driven food trends. In recent years, popular productions have frequently sparked demand for regional delicacies.赵说，这不是电影和电视第一次推动饮食潮流。近年来，受欢迎的影视作品经常引发对地方美食的需求。The 2019 TV dramaThe Longest Day in Chang'an boosted interest in fire crystal persimmons and water basin lamb from China's northwest. In 2022, the hit seriesA Dream of Splendor brought Song Dynasty (960-1279) tea culture into the spotlight, leading tea brands to introduce themed drinks that became consumer favorites. Similarly, animated films and TV shows have increasingly collaborated with tea and coffee brands to launch limited-edition beverages.2019年，电视剧《长安十二时辰》提高了人们对中国西北地区火晶柿子和水盆羊肉的兴趣。2022年，热播剧《梦华录》将宋代（960-1279年）茶文化推向聚光灯下，促使茶叶品牌推出主题饮品，成为消费者的最爱。同样，动画电影和电视节目也越来越多地与茶叶和咖啡品牌合作，推出限量版饮品。Behind this phenomenon, Zhao sees two key forces at play.在这一现象背后，赵看到了两股关键力量在起作用。First, restaurants are becoming more adept at leveraging pop culture to attract consumers and convert online buzz into sales. "With fierce competition in the industry, businesses are focusing on product innovation rather than price wars. They are enhancing their offerings with cultural, experiential, and emotional value," Zhao said.首先，餐厅越来越善于利用流行文化来吸引消费者，并将网上的热词转化为销售额。“随着行业竞争的激烈，企业正专注于产品创新，而不是价格战。他们正在用文化、体验和情感价值来提升他们的产品，”赵说。"Over the past few years, restaurant operators have learned how to integrate entertainment and youth culture into their strategies to draw traffic," he added.他补充说:“在过去的几年里，餐馆经营者已经学会了如何将娱乐和青年文化融入到他们的策略中来吸引客流量。”Second, consumer expectations for dining experiences have evolved. "People no longer just eat to satisfy hunger or pursue healthy choices. They now seek emotional connections through their dining experiences," Zhao said.其次，消费者对就餐体验的期望也在发生变化。“人们不再只是为了充饥或追求健康的选择而吃饭。他们现在通过就餐体验寻找情感联系。”赵说。WhileNe Zha2 has sparked a wave of themed offerings, Zhao believes the trend is also rooted in the character's deep cultural significance.虽然《哪吒2》引发了一波主题产品的热潮，但赵认为，这一趋势也植根于该角色深厚的文化意义。However, he cautioned businesses to be mindful of intellectual property concerns when using Ne Zha's image for promotions, warning of potential legal risks. He also noted that Ne Zha, as a traditional Chinese figure, has multiple representations beyond the one depicted inNe Zha 2.然而，他提醒企业在使用哪吒的形象进行宣传时要注意知识产权问题，并警告潜在的法律风险。他还指出，哪吒作为中国传统人物，除了《哪吒2》中所描绘的形象外，还有多种表现形式。For restaurant owners looking to capitalize on the trend, Zhao stressed the importance of both speed and long-term vision. "To seizeNe Zha 2's momentum, businesses must react quickly.对于希望利用这一趋势的餐馆老板来说，赵强调了速度和长远眼光的重要性。“为了抓住《哪吒2》的势头，企业必须迅速做出反应。But beyond short-term gains, they should also consider how to retain customers. The goal is not just to draw diners in with a trendy product, but to build lasting consumer habits," he said.但除了短期收益，他们还应该考虑如何留住客户。我们的目标不仅仅是用时髦的产品吸引食客，而是要养成持久的消费习惯。”Root cause of frenzy热潮的根本原因Lotus root has emerged as one of the biggest winners in the food industry boom sparked byNe Zha 2.在《哪吒2》引发的食品行业热潮中，藕已经成为最大的赢家之一。The humble ingredient, central to the film's storyline, has seen a surge in demand, driving remarkable growth across the food and e-commerce sectors.作为电影故事情节的核心，这种不起眼的食材需求激增，推动了食品和电商行业的显著增长。According to data from the short video-sharing platform Douyin, searches for "lotus root starch" have surged by over 200 percent year-on-year since the film's release on Jan 29, with interest continuing to climb.根据短视频分享平台抖音的数据，自1月29日该片上映以来，“藕粉”的搜索量同比飙升了200%以上，而且兴趣还在继续攀升。Online delivery platform Eleme has reported a 330 percent spike in related searches.在线外卖平台“饿了么”的相关搜索量飙升了330%。China Post's Hubei branch reported that between Jan 29 and Feb 11, approximately 170,000 packages of lotus root starch and lotus root stems were shipped from the province — 1.7 fold more than the same period last year.据中国邮政湖北分公司报道，在1月29日至2月11日期间，约有17万包藕淀粉和藕茎从该省运出，是去年同期的1.7倍。The impact is even more pronounced in Honghu, a major lotus root production hub in Hubei province.在湖北主要的莲藕生产中心洪湖，这种影响更为明显。Zhang Xianzhong, head of the Honghu Lotus Root Industry Development Center, said from Jan 29 to Feb 23, the industry's total sales revenue surpassed 582 million yuan, marking a 51 percent year-on-year increase.洪湖藕产业发展中心主任张献忠表示，从1月29日到2月23日，藕产业总销售收入超过5.82亿元，同比增长51%。Fresh lotus root sales alone reached 18,700 metric tons, while processed products like lotus root starch, lotus root stems, and lotus root soup also saw significant gains.仅新鲜藕的销量就达到1.87万吨，而藕淀粉、藕茎和藕汤等加工产品也取得了显著增长。"Fresh lotus root is selling out daily, over 200 tons of lotus root starch have already been snapped up, and e-commerce orders have risen 1.5 fold compared with last year," Zhang said.“新鲜莲藕每天都销售一空，200多吨莲藕淀粉已被抢购一空，电商订单比去年增加了1.5倍。At the Orsun century city mall branch in Wuhan, Hubei, of Laoxiangji fast food chain, takeout orders have surged during dinner hours with staff packing container after container of lotus root chicken soup.在湖北武汉的老乡鸡快餐连锁店奥森世纪城分店，晚餐时段的外卖订单激增，店员们将一箱又一箱的莲藕鸡汤打包。"Since the Spring Festival, sales of our lotus root chicken soup have risen about 30 percent compared with pre-holiday levels," said store manager Yuan Fangfang.店长袁芳芳说：“春节以来，我们莲藕鸡汤的销量比节前增长了约30%。”Laoxiangji's signature old hen soup, made with mineral water and stewed chicken, has long been a customer favorite.老乡鸡的招牌老母鸡汤，用矿泉水和焖鸡熬制而成，一直深受顾客的喜爱。But in Hubei, where lotus root is a staple, diners have frequently asked if the restaurant offers a lotus root version. In response to the demand, Laoxiangji introduced lotus root chicken soup in its Hubei outlets in September 2024.但在以莲藕为主食的湖北，经常有食客询问餐厅是否提供莲藕版本。为满足这一需求，老乡记于2024年9月在湖北分店推出了莲藕鸡汤。"The response has been overwhelming — nearly half of our soup orders are now for the lotus root version," Yuan said.袁说：“反响非常热烈--现在我们近一半的汤订单都是莲藕版的。”She noted that September and October, when lotus roots are at their softest and most flavorful, is the peak season for the dish. "For us in Hubei, drinking lotus root soup is a tradition. Growing up, the aroma of lotus root soup filled the alleys during autumn and winter. A bowl of it carries a sense of home," Yuan said.她指出，9月和10月是莲藕最柔软、味道最鲜美的时候，也是这道菜的旺季。“对于我们湖北人来说，喝莲藕汤是一种传统。在我们的成长过程中，每到秋冬季节，小巷里就弥漫着莲藕汤的香气。一碗藕汤承载着家的味道。This year, Laoxiangji remained open throughout the Spring Festival holiday period. "I never expected lotus root soup to become such a hit during Spring Festival," Yuan said.今年，老乡记在整个春节假期期间一直营业。“没想到春节期间莲藕汤会这么火。”Taking advantage of a rare break, she went to seeNe Zha 2 with her 15-year-old daughter, a high school student and fan of the film. After the holiday rush, the two returned for a second viewing.趁着难得的休息时间，她和15岁的女儿一起去看《哪吒2》，女儿是一名高中生，也是《哪吒2》的影迷。假期结束后，两人又去看了第二场。Located inside a shopping mall, Yuan's restaurant often welcomes moviegoers looking for a meal after screenings. "Maybe some of them, after watching Ne Zha 2, find themselves craving a bowl of lotus root soup," she said.袁的餐厅位于一家购物中心内，经常有观众在电影放映后前来就餐。“她说："也许有些人看完《哪吒2》后，会想喝一碗莲藕汤。Lotus' elan莲花的魅力Riding the success ofNe Zha 2, lotus root has emerged as a culinary sensation beyond its home in Hubei.借助《哪吒2》的成功，莲藕在湖北以外的地方引起了美食界的轰动。On the third day of the Chinese New Year, as the film's box office takings soared, Qingshuiting Hubei cuisine outlets in Beijing introduced a Ne Zha-themed meal set. The two-person set, featuring pork rib lotus root soup, fried stuffed lotus root, and lotus root starch, quickly attracted food lovers. Diners who presented aNe Zha 2 ticket stub could also enjoy a 12 percent discount on lotus root soup.大年初三，随着票房的飙升，北京的清水亭湖北菜门店推出了哪吒主题套餐。排骨藕汤、炸藕酿、藕粉等二人套餐迅速吸引了美食爱好者。凭《哪吒2》门票票根就餐的食客还可享受藕汤12% 折的优惠。Li Simei, co-founder of Qingshuiting, anticipated lotus root's surge in popularity, given its deep connection to the investiture of the gods scene in the movie, where Ne Zha's body is reborn from lotus root. Since the ingredient has always been a staple at her restaurant, she had planned to introduce themed dishes based on the audience response.清水亭的创始人之一李思梅预料到莲藕会大受欢迎，因为莲藕与电影中哪吒投胎的场景有很深的联系。由于莲藕一直是她餐厅的主打食材，她计划根据观众的反应推出主题菜肴。The restaurant's signature lotus root soup is made from Honghu's renowned starchy lotus roots. "October to March is when lotus root reaches peak flavor," Li explained.餐厅的招牌藕汤是用洪湖著名的淀粉质莲藕制作的。“十月到三月是莲藕味道最鲜美的时候，"李解释道。"During this period, it stores starch in the mud, creating a rich, glutinous texture."“在此期间，它将淀粉储存在泥中，形成丰富的糯米质地"。To appeal to younger diners, Qingshuiting has also re-imagined traditional lotus root starch desserts, offering flavors like green tea and orange, paired with lotus slices and lotus balls. The modern twist transforms the classic street treat into a trendy, Instagram-worthy dessert.为了吸引更多年轻食客，清水亭还对传统的藕粉甜点进行了重新设计，推出了绿茶和橙子等口味，并搭配了藕片和藕球。这种现代的变化将经典的街头小吃转变成了一种时尚的、值得在Instagram上分享的甜点。"Our restaurant aims to showcase high-quality Hubei ingredients, including Honghu lotus root, and bring delicious Hubei cuisine to diners in Beijing," Li said.“我们的餐厅旨在展示包括洪湖莲藕在内的优质湖北食材，为北京的食客带来美味的湖北菜。”李说The growing demand for Hubei's lotus root was also evident at a Feb 21 agricultural showcase hosted by the Hubei Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Hubei Government's Beijing Office.在2月21日由湖北省农业农村厅和湖北省政府驻北京办事处主办的农业展示会上，湖北莲藕日益增长的需求也显而易见。The event brought Beijing restaurateurs face-to-face with Hubei suppliers, with Honghu lotus root emerging as a star ingredient. Li noted that many Beijing restaurants are now incorporating Honghu lotus root into their menus and hopes that more establishments will follow suit in show-casing the region's high-quality produce.此次活动让北京的餐馆老板与湖北的供应商面对面，洪湖莲藕成为其中的明星食材。李指出，许多北京餐馆正在将洪湖莲藕纳入他们的菜单，并希望更多餐馆效仿，展示该地区的优质产品。Demonn.魔鬼；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念Tentaclesn. 触手( tentacle的名词复数)；触角；触须；触毛Frenzyn.狂乱，狂暴；极度的激动；狂怒Signaturen.签名；鲜明特色

The Minister speaks about the environmental policies and programmes being implemented to protect and improve our environment ensuring we work together to tackle the interconnected challenges facing agriculture and the environment About the Speaker: Andrew Muir MLA is Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and Alliance Party MLA for North Down. He previously served as Alliance Party Chief Whip, Finance and Infrastructure Spokesperson and leading party efforts for Restoration and Reform of Assembly and Executive. Aged 47, prior to joining the Northern Ireland Assembly in late 2019 Andrew served for nearly a decade as Councillor including a term as Mayor of North Down 2013/14. Before becoming a MLA Andrew worked for Northern Ireland's Public Transport provider Translink as a Senior Project Manager overseeing roll out of multi-million pound Future Ticketing System Project. Andrew graduated with a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at Ulster University in 1999. A keen runner, Andrew has completed eleven Marathons with a Personal Best of 3:07. He founded both Bangor and Crawfordsburn free weekly 5k parkruns and is a member of North Down Athletic Club.

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.

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.

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.

This week, Anna Taylor, Chief Executive of the Food Foundation discusses the latest annual Broken Plate report with Sue Pritchard, Executive Director of the Food Farming and Countryside Commission, Malcolm Clark, Senior Policy Manager at Cancer Research UK and Geoff Ogle, the Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland. We also hear what Dr Chris Van Tulleken, Daniel Zeichner, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and one the Food Foundation's adult food ambassadors, Caroline Woolham think of the report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Coverage from the Everything Local Conference in Springfield, including conversations with Jenna Spychal, chair of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, Scott Trimble from Famous Scott's Premium Popcorn, Jackie Sambursky from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Kristin Terry from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. 

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.

On this week's episode, Andrew Burnes is joined by Alex Delworth, Policy Associate at the Center for Rural Affairs. Alex and his organization have recently put together some resources for local officials in counties and municipalities in Midwestern states like Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota that are experiencing proposals from renewable project developers but have yet to put their own ordinances on the books to guide these projects. NPM has covered all of these growing renewable energy markets, as well as some of the hurdles and delays that can arise when local officials enact moratoriums to give them time to enact ordinances after receiving their first project proposals. In this discussion, Alex discusses how he and his colleagues are helping guide these newcomers grappling with project development for the first time as well as advice for project developers seeking to develop projects on these "new frontiers" in the Midwest.New Project Media (NPM) is a leading data, intelligence, and events company providing business development led coverage of the US and European renewable energy markets for the development, finance, M&A, and corporate community.Download our mobile app.

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

BBC Radio 3 has unveiled a new online-only stream - Unwind. It's dedicated to calming classical music and broadcasts 24/7 on BBC Sounds. For some listeners it's unlocked the mystery of a good night's sleep, but for others the playlists are more mindless than mindful. Andrea Catherwood puts your comments to Radio 3 Controller Sam Jackson.In a week where farmers shot to the top of the news agenda following changes to their inheritance tax exemptions in the 2024 Budget, Andrea talks to Dimitri Houtart - who was until recently the Executive Editor of Rural Affairs, and Rural Affairs Champion at the BBC. Has Radio 4's reporting managed to cut through the sound of tractors roaring down Whitehall? And how do you push for fair coverage of rural communities inside the BBC?And with only a few weeks to go before Feedback unveils the Interview of the Year 2024, one listener nominates John Wilson's conversation with writer Hanif Kureishi, for This Cultural Life. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

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

Monday on AOA, brought to you by Cenex, we start the show with a look at the early week market action in what should be a quieter week of market moving events with Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst at Barchart. In Segment Two, we get an update on the weather situation as farmers look to finish up fall fieldwork and more with DTN Meteorologist, John Baranick. Next up in Segment Three, we talk trade policy moving forward in a second Trump Administration and more with Brent Boydston from Ag Center Solutions. Then in Segment Four, we learn about a new Center for Rural Affairs fact sheet that provides resources and highlights the use of solar energy generation and agricultural production on the same land. Mallory Tope from the Center for Rural Affairs joins us to discuss. For more information, visit cfra.org/publications.  

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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

What does the future hold for Scottish salmon farming, and what recent events could shape its course? This week, we explore the controversy surrounding a viral video that has sparked national debate and led to a deeper examination of fish welfare in Scotland. With industry experts and government officials weighing in on salmon farming practices and the challenges they face, we'll break down the key moments and lessons from the recent Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting. Join us for a detailed timeline of events and insights into what's next for the sector.  For more aquaculture insights, head to our Fish n' Bits blog.

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.

We've been reporting over the last couple of weeks about a £358m underspend over the last three years from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' £2.4 billion agriculture annual budget for England. Now, former DEFRA director and author of the National Food Strategy, Henry Dimbleby says it's critical that this money isn't lost from the farming budget. He also tells us what he wants to see in the government's new Environmental Land Management schemes, especially for upland farmers. Some upland farmers who've spent years in what are called Higher Level Stewardship agreements, which pay for farming in a way that benefits the environment and wildlife, say there is nothing they can apply for under ELMs at the moment. We hear from one farmer in the Lake District about his frustrations with the new schemes. Increases in offshore wind means in turn that the electricity generated has to brought inland, often requiring new infrastructure. Miles of underground cabling is being channelled through the countryside, with some farmers having little choice about whether it goes across their land. The weather over the last year has had a huge impact on food producers across the UK. With the apple harvest underway, we speak to a cider apple producer who says he's lost trees because of waterlogged orchards.Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Jo Peacey.

We've been reporting over the last couple of weeks about a £358m underspend over the last three years from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' £2.4 billion agriculture annual budget for England. Farmers are furious at the scale of this underspend and there are concerns that the money will be lost for good in cuts in this autumn's government spending review. Now a former Defra director says it's critical that this money isn't lost from the farming budget. Henry Dimbleby was Defra's lead non-executive board member for five years up until spring last year when he resigned over what he said was the then Government's failure to tackle obesity, something he'd highlighted as a priority in his independent National Food Strategy, commissioned by the Government. An animal welfare charity says it's filmed tonnes of dead and dying salmon being removed from a fish farm just hours before Members of the Scottish Parliament visited the site for a fact finding mission. Holyrood's Rural Affairs committee visited Dunstaffnage fish farm near Oban on Monday as part of their inquiry into whether the industry's made progress in tackling significant environmental concerns. The campaign group Animal Equality has accused the industry of trying to cover up the fish deaths, but Scottish Sea Farms who own the farm, says the workers were carrying out routine clearance of the pens. The need for clean energy has led to a large increase in offshore wind farms and electricity generated in them has to be brought inland. That means hundreds of miles of underground cabling is being channelled through the countryside with some farmers having little choice about whether they go across their land. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Labour Party conference is underway in Liverpool. Last week we heard from the Liberal Democrats and next week we'll report on the Conservative Party conference. Agriculture is a devolved issue, so the budget and how it's spent is up to governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed spoke at the Labour conference. He told us a land use framework will be published before Christmas, but details of funding for farmers will have to waiting until the chancellor's autumn budget.All week we're hearing how plans for new infrastructure are affecting farmers and their land. A row over whether farm land in North Yorkshire should be turned into a solar farm is going before a public inquiry. The tenant farmers at Eden Farm, Old Malton say a solar farm would make their business unviable. The developer says it's listened to feedback, and reduced the solar farm's size by a third.The number of cases of bluetongue disease in cattle and sheep has risen to 97. As a result the restriction zone has been redrawn and now covers all Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, all Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex. Previous restrictions in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and East Yorkshire remain in place.Apple growers tell us how the weather this year's affected them. One cider producer in Somerset says he's lost trees because of waterlogged orchards and the yield is way down. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Does Virginia need a Secretary of Rural Affairs?  Andrew Block, University of Virginia School of Law joined RHV to discuss why that is a topic of discussion in Virginia right now. Join us at the Rural Health Voice conference

Less than a third of Northern Ireland's surface waterways are in good ecological condition, and targets to improve them by 2027 are likely to be missed. That's the conclusion of a damning report by the Office for Environmental Protection, which criticises lack of leadership at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland. The report says that despite a draft plan to manage waterways being drawn up back in 2021, it still hasn't been finalised, let alone implemented. We visit one of the farms that's joined the Environmental Farmers Group, which was set up back in 2022 to bring large groups of farmers together in co-operatives, to bid for public and private finance to fund environmental projects across large areas. Nearly six hundred farmers across England have joined so far.And the future of the potato industry in the UK faces many challenges. The crop is expensive to grow, especially as the weather becomes more volatile. It also needs clean land, so a gap of about six years is needed between crops, to avoid the spread of disease. We hear about the latest technological solutions to some of these issues as they go on show at an event in Lincolnshire. Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons

A special panel programme recorded in front of an audience at the Royal Welsh Show. Charlotte Smith discusses the future of agriculture in Wales with Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy president of NFU Cymru, Abi Reader and Rachel Sharp, director of Wildlife Trusts Wales.Produced by Beatrice Fenton.

This programme comes from the 120th Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells. 250,000 people are expected to attend across 4 days, with 7000 livestock entries.It comes during an eventful week in Welsh politics, with the Cabinet Secretary of Climate Change and Rural Affairs in the Welsh Government set to become the new Deputy First Minister. So what does it all mean for future farming policy?Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons

Hear from Emma Howard Boyd CBE, Chair of the London Climate Resilience Review, as we dive into the challenges of climate adaptation and what it means for our cities. 2023 was not only the warmest year on record, it also marked the warmest 10-year period on record. As we witness first-hand the impacts of a warming climate, including heatwaves, more intense precipitation and increased flooding, the case for building resilience against these risks becomes ever more important. This is particularly so in our cities, where the concentration of populations and economic activity make adaptation non-negotiable. This episode's guest has recently led a comprehensive review of the Climate Resilience of London, which takes stock of the city's preparedness for climate impacts and makes a series of recommendations for how the city needs to bolster its efforts. In this episode, we explore: How cities are vulnerable to cascading and interconnected risks, which amplify the impacts of climate change; How a collaborative approach to learning and building resilience will be critical in the years ahead; And how adaptation and resilience need to be woven through our all our decision making, while paying particular attention to the most vulnerable communities To find out more about the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) Certificate, follow this link: https://www.garp.org/scr For more information on climate risk, visit GARP's Global Sustainability and Climate Risk Resource Center: https://www.garp.org/sustainability-climate If you have any questions, thoughts, or feedback regarding this podcast series, we would love to hear from you at: climateriskpodcast@garp.com   Links from today's discussion: Read the final report of the London Climate Resilience Review: https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/climate-change/climate-adaptation/london-climate-resilience-review C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: https://www.c40.org/ Thames Estuary 2100 Group report directory: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/thames-estuary-2100-te2100   Speaker's Bio(s) Emma Howard Boyd, Chair, London Climate Resilience Review Emma has been the Chair of the London Climate Resilience Review, leading the delivery of its work since summer 2023. She has had an extensive career in financial services at the forefront of the climate change, environmental and sustainable finance agenda. Emma is also currently Chair of ClientEarth and a Global Ambassador for Race to Zero and Race to Resilience, and outgoing Chair of the Green Finance Institute. She has been Chair of the Environment Agency and an ex-officio board member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2016 to 2022. Emma serves on several boards and advisory committees which include The Major Projects Association, Climate Arc, and the European Climate Foundation. She was the UK Commissioner to the Global Commission on Adaptation from 2018 until its sunset in January 2021.

Ahead of this year's Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, we talk to the Welsh Government's Climate and Rural Affairs minister, Huw Irranca Davies about policy, farm protests and the future for agriculture in Wales.People are being asked to avoid the River Irfon, near Builth Wells over fears of a suspected case of 'crayfish plague'. The Wye catchment, including the River Irfon, is a key habitat for the white-clawed crayfish. The plague is harmless to humans but it is a highly infectious disease that is fatal to the crustacean that is already under threat from the non native crayfish. We visit a new nature reserve that has just been opened at the Gwent Levels. Bridewell Common was purchased by Gwent Wildlife Trust four years ago, but it has been closed to the public until now, to allow the charity to restore the area.and for our Bird of Conservation Concern this month it's a charismatic and striking bird of prey, that is unfortunately the UK's most persecuted bird of prey in relation to its population size - the Hen-Harrier

The Great Yorkshire Show was the first chance for the new Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, to chat with farmers since his appointment, less than a week before. The new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has committed to relaxing planning rules for house building. It could mean quite a change for rural areas; especially as the boundaries of greenbelt land will be 'reviewed'.The Welsh Government has just published its response to the consultation on its controversial farm payment scheme.Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The new Chancellor Rachel Reeves has committed to relaxing planning rules for housebuilding, a representative of various rural groups gives her response.Corinne Pluchino is the new Chief Executive of Action with Communities in Rural England - ACRE - a national charity representing 38 county based organisations across England.The new Secretary of State for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs is Steve Reed, he had been serving as the Shadow at DEFRA for several years.He is a London MP, so not exactly a country man, Andrew Meredith the Editor of Farmers Weekly gives his view on the appointment.All week Farming Today is exploring the brave new world of Artificial Intelligence, AI, and how it is being used in farming. A Staffordshire farmer demonstrates how his recently acquired droid is weeding his crops.Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Alun Beach

Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Alliance Party MLA for North Down, outlines what will be the party's key asks when it meets with new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer later today.

A wide range conversation of almost two hours- second episode will follow soon- with Henry Dimbleby, founder of Bramble Partners, a venture capital firm, that invests in businesses seeking to improve food security. Before Bramble Partners, Henry co-founded Leon Restaurants and the Sustainable Restaurant Association and also served deep in the heart of the UK government as he was appointed lead non-executive board member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.In this exchange we discuss everything from Donella Meadows in complex systems to what that means for all of us trying to influence these systems and policies and how you actually change policy. How it was to manage the COVID crisis from within the UK government, keeping food on the shelves of the supermarkets and local shops, and trying to drastically improve school meals and their accessibility for children living in poverty in the UK. Plus, a deep dive into the junk food cycle, the differences between ultra-processed food and junk food, and the crazy ultra-processed food addiction we all, or mostly, have fallen victim to. And finally, how eating lentils can change everything.---------------------------------------------------Join our Gumroad community, discover the tiers and benefits on www.gumroad.com/investinginregenag. Support our work:Share itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture----------------------------------------------------More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/henry-dimbleby.Find our video course on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course.----------------------------------------------------The above references an opinion and is for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a duly licensed professional for investment advice.Send us a Text Message.https://groundswellag.com/2024-speakers/ https://foodhub.nl/en/opleidingen/your-path-forward-in-regenerative-food-and-agriculture/Support the Show.Feedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!

진행자: 홍유, Elise Youn   Mystery deepens after hundreds of cat deaths in S. Korea   기사요약: 최근 고양이들이 신경질환 등 증상을 보이다 급사했다는 신고가 잇따랐지만 원인이 밝혀지지 않아 반려인들이 불안감을 호소하고 있다.   [1] A wave of unexplained cat deaths has sparked a dispute between pet owners and authorities in South Korea, with owners unconvinced that the pet food thought to be at the center of the controversy was not to blame. *dispute: 분쟁, 분규; 논란, 논쟁 *controversy: 논란   [2] According to local animal activist groups Life and Myoeon, a total of 513 cases of cats displaying similar symptoms -- acute neuromuscular diseases, high fever, elevated liver enzymes and kidney failure -- have been documented as of May 12. Of the affected animals, 181 have died. *symptom: 증상 *acute: (질병이) 급성의   [3] The activists, citing owners, claimed that all affected felines have consumed cat food made by a single manufacturer from January to April this year. The manufacturer accused is a contract-based producer behind nearly 30 pet food products from various brands. *felines: 고양이, 고양잇과 동물 *manufacturer: 제조자 [사]   [4] The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, however, found no correlation between the deaths and the suspected cat food in its investigation. It tested over 50 pet food samples currently available, including those suspected by cat owners, for 78 toxic substances, seven viruses and two types of parasites and germs. *correlation: 연관성, 상관관계   기사원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240517050765   [코리아헤럴드 팟캐스트 구독] 아이튠즈(아이폰):https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2 네이버 오디오 클립(아이폰, 안드로이드 겸용): https://audioclip.naver.com/channels/5404 팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638

Donald Trump declines to take the witness stand; Colorado first in nation to offer free mental health care to youths; NE Center for Rural Affairs' $62 million EPA grant will expand solar access; and new report reveals long-term salary slide for MI teachers.

Donald Trump declines to take the witness stand; Colorado first in nation to offer free mental health care to youths; NE Center for Rural Affairs' $62 million EPA grant will expand solar access; and new report reveals long-term salary slide for MI teachers.

James Halpin is a York graduate who is currently on the science and engineering stream of the Civil Service Fast Stream programme. Listen as Kate gets to the bottom of what James's job looks like. They cover the variety of postings James has undertaken on the Science and Engineering Fast Stream, the transferable skills that have helped him in his role and the future challenges for the Civil Service. James's Bio I'm part of the UK Civil Service Fast Stream graduate programme and I'm on the Science & Engineering scheme. I'm currently working at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and my past postings include the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and a secondment at the Newton Venture Program. I hold a first-class integrated Masters degree in Chemistry from The University of York and I spent my masters year at the University of Helsinki as a year abroad working in a research lab. After University I worked for the charity Shelter for a year before joining the Fast Stream. Transcript and useful links