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10/09/24 - Wet harvest weather, Cornish fish freezing and new EFRA Chair

Waterlogged fields, wet crops, delays and lower yields - we look at the reality of harvest 2024 for many UK farmers.

Waterlogged fields, wet crops, delays and lower yields - the reality of harvest 2024 for many UK farmers. It's been a really difficult year. This winter, rainfall was 60% above average in England, and that came after the wettest 18 months since records began in the 1830's. That hit the sowing of both winter and spring crops. The summer has been the coolest since 2015 - according to the Met Office - which has meant a delayed harvest and extra costs to dry the crop.

We visit a new fish freezing centre that's been opened in Redruth by the company Falfish. It hopes the site will enable it to grow its business and support local sardine fishermen.

And we hear from the new Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - the group of MPs which scrutinises environment and agriculture policy. Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, who has represented Orkney and Shetland for 23 years, says the committee's To Do list is "substantial".

Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced by Heather Simons

20 days left to listen

14 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tue 10 Sep 2024 05:45

Podcast