30/10/26 Caged hens, Rothbury Estate, mole trapping

Government plans to phase out cages for laying hens could put British producers at a disadvantage, if the UK continues to allow imports of eggs from caged birds. That's one of the conclusions of a new report from the Animal Welfare Committee which advises government. It warns that while cage free systems are better for hens, the transition to barn eggs, where hens are free to move about but not to go outside, could be costly, complex and disruptive without careful management. The Wildlife Trusts have bought the entire 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate in Northumberland. The money has come from individuals, organisations, the National Lottery, what the Trusts describe as 'a low interest loan', and controversially last week, £2m from the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs. The Tenant Farmers' Association has called it 'an inappropriate use of public funding'.All week we’re tracking down the animals that many farmers view as pests. Today we’re out with a molecatcher. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Commercial salad farmers have seen record numbers of aphids in 2026, not just here in the UK but in all of Europe’s major salad growing areas too. Up to 85% of the UK crop has been affected, leading to more being imported from Europe, earlier in the season. This week we're looking at pest control on farms. Birds cause substantial damage, including taking fruit crops. We meet a vineyard owner who's employing a laser bird scarer to keep them off his grapes. And we get reaction to the government's budget. The NFU says it was a 'missed opportunity', offering nothing to ease the dire cash flow problems facing farms, and no support for food production. We hear the verdict of the Country Land and Business Association. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Sally Challoner.

We hear from the president of the National Farmers Union on what farmers would like in today's budget. Tom Bradshaw calls for scrapping Inheritance Tax for farms, and adequately investing in a resilient food and farming sector. We also hear from the Farming Minister Stephen Morgan who faced questions from the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee. He promised to improve the system for farmers applying for the government's support scheme, after what's been described as a shambles this year with thousands missing out. And all the week we're looking at farm pests. Today it's the grey squirrel - a non-native invasive species that's massively impacted the UK's native red squirrel population. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sally Challoner.

The government should suspend the consultation it launched yesterday on phasing out the use of carbon dioxide in the slaughter of pigs, according to AIMS - the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers. It's written to the Secretary of State warning that the move could put British producers at a disadvantage, as other countries - including the EU where the vast majority of pig meat imported into the uk is from - will continue to use co2. It wants the consultation process paused while discussions with the EU on closer alignment of the rules continue. This week we're looking at pests on farm - and how to safely, humanely and legally get rid of them. Today, rats on a farm in Scotland, and the controller on why they're becoming more of a problem. And the solar powered weeding robot that's a cousin of the ExoMars rover heading to Mars. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sally Challoner.

A consultation on phasing out the use of carbon dioxide in the slaughtering process for pigs is launched today. The vast majority of pigs in the UK are stunned using CO2 but last year the government announced plans to move away from using the gas, following an independent report which said that the practice causes pain, respiratory distress and fear in conscious pigs and should be replaced. The National Pig Association tells us the industry accepts that CO2 is on the way out, but wants a realistic timeline.This week we're going to tackle rats, mice, moles and more: those animals which when found in the wrong place, like a farm, are pests. It's not a new problem but changing legislation and the changing climate are bringing new challenges, as the British Pest Control Association explains.We hear from the Farmers' Choir Northern Ireland who've just won a national music award, recognised for 'bringing farmers and rural communities together through music, friendship and mutual support'.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Wildfires have been on the political menu this week with a report from MPs criticising the lack of a National Wildfire Strategy, followed by wildfire summits in England and Wales, and an announcement from the Prime Minister of ‘initial steps to improve our response’. Andy Burnham announced £45 million of extra funding to better equip firefighters and said military aircraft would be available to help tackle wildfires. Earlier this week MPs on the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee published a report saying the UK was not ready for the next fire season. At its summit the Welsh Government said it would bring in international expertise, and create a register for farmers and landowners are able to help fight fires. The scramble online for funding under the Sustainable Farming Incentive or SFI left thousands of farmers with nothing. Some had technical problems, others were too late. SFI funding pays farmers for improving the environment. Those who weren't successful will have to decide whether to stop managing their land for the environment or carry on without payments. The Secretary of State tells us she's working with farmers to avoid a repeat of this year's funding application chaos.We visit a Herefordshire farmer who was seriously considering grubbing up her 22 acre intensive orchard. Instead she thinned out the trees and introduced an agroforestry system.UK strawberries at Christmas? It doesn't seem likely, but one Worcestershire farmer says his growing season now stretches to December. He's worried that fruit will be wasted as supermarkets aren't used to local supplies being available so late in the year.We meet a farmer who's growing pumpkins - not for Halloween but for seeds.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

A wildfire summit is being held today in Westminster, bringing together government departments and agencies to work out plans to address future fires.We announce the winner of the BBC Food and Farming Awards' Farming for the Future winner, Bronagh O’Kane.And picking plums by rowing boat: the Tregothnan estate in Cornwall has a very unusual micro climate on the Fal estuary, allowing a rare variety of plum to grow. The Kea plum is small and similar to a damson and very unusually grows so close to the waterside that some trees are harvested from the water.Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Farmers in Scotland have been taking part in a four year scheme to get more arable farmers to have sheep on their land. Instead of leaving fields bare over winter, cereal growers have been planting cover crops, things like oats or turnips. They then invite a shepherd to graze sheep on the fields. The sheep farmer gains extra grazing, and for the arable farmer, the sheep help fertilise the soil, keep down the weeds, and get rid of the cover crop by the end of the season.All week we're taking a closer look at the top fruit harvest - that means apples, pears and plums. Keeping an orchard profitable can be difficult at the best of times. We visit a Herefordshire farmer who was seriously considering grubbing up her 22 acre intensive orchard. Instead she thinned out the trees and introduced an agroforestry system. We celebrate some of the winners in this year's BBC Food and Farming AwardsPresenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

A report by MPs says this year's wildfires exposed severe weaknesses in our ability to tackle them, and that immediate action must be taken to ensure an effective response next year. The Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee heard more than 1,300 wildfires broke out this year - the highest number on record. It says the government needs a national strategy.This week we are looking at top fruit. It has been a tough year for many growers, a difficult spring followed by an extremely hot and dry summer has affected harvests – but there has been a silver lining. British pear growers say all that sunshine has meant some of the sweetest fruit they have ever grown. However, in spite of the quality of this year's crop, there are concerns about the future of British pear orchards. More than half of pear orchards are more than 21 years old, and the number of new trees being planted has fallen dramatically. The scramble for online for funding under the Sustainable Farming Incentive or SFI, left thousands of farmers with nothing. Some had technical problems, others were too late. SFI funding pays farmers for carrying out environmental actions which improve their land, and the wider habitat on their farms. Those left with no funding will now have to decide whether to stop managing their land for the environment or carry on without payments.Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The decline in abattoirs across the UK has been an issue for many years. A new coalition of more than 150 organisations, has sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling for urgent government action. The Sustainable Food Trust, Soil Association, Rare Breeds Survival Trust and other groups claim the UK’s abattoir network has fallen to around 200, from roughly 2,500 in the 1970s. In Scotland crofters are about to benefit from a new initiative which could solve some of the problems: a moveable abattoir which will come to the farm.UK strawberries at Christmas? It doesn't seem likely but such a warm summer means a Worcestershire farmer says his growing season now stretches to December. However he's concerned his crops could go to waste because retailers are taking in imported fruit instead.This week, we're taking the pick of the top fruit harvest, that's apples, pears and plums - everything grown on trees. Apples are the biggest business, but this year the weather's challenged the orchards with frost, hail, extreme heat and drought. We speak to British Apples and Pears to find out how drought and heat have affected the harvest.Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney