05/03/2025 - Pig supply chain, blossom watch and a charity farm for women
New rules for the pig supply chain are due to be introduced this Spring to help even-up what DEFRA describes as a 'power imbalance' between farmers and processors. The rules have been developed after a crisis in the industry caused by a combination of Brexit and Covid - when back in 2021, a shortage of staff at processing sites left farmers unable to send their pigs for slaughter, despite having contracts in place. So how much difference will it make?We find out about a project called FruitWatch, being run by the University of Reading, which monitors blossom emergence and fruit using pictures and comments sent in by members of the public.And we visit Fallowlees Farm - a charity farm set up after the Covid lockdowns to give women in Newcastle the chance to experience rural Northumberland. Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons
New rules for the pig supply chain are due to be introduced this Spring to help even-up what DEFRA describes as a 'power imbalance' between farmers and processors. The rules have been developed after a crisis in the industry caused by a combination of Brexit and Covid - when back in 2021, a shortage of staff at processing sites left farmers unable to send their pigs for slaughter, despite having contracts in place. So how much difference will it make?
We find out about a project called FruitWatch, being run by the University of Reading, which monitors blossom emergence and fruit using pictures and comments sent in by members of the public.
And we visit Fallowlees Farm - a charity farm set up after the Covid lockdowns to give women in Newcastle the chance to experience rural Northumberland.
Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons
