27/11/2024 Countryside Stewardship agri-environment schemes, seed breeding, Tenderstem broccoli
Description
Many farmers have been worried about their Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreements, which expire, or partly expire, this year. These cover larger scale agri-environment schemes and capital grants for "the most environmentally important sites", according to DEFRA.
DEFRA's now announced that farmers can take up a "mirror agreement" to carry on from their old one. This will last the same time as their original arrangement - 5 or 10 years and will exactly duplicate their existing plan, including the money they get for it. We speak to Dr Julia Aglionby from The Foundation for Common Land who's concerned that it leaves some farmers, especially commoners and those in the uplands, in a difficult position.
As part of our focus on winter veg, we visit a farm in Worcestershire which grows Tenderstem broccoli. The crop's a registered trade mark, high in value but costly to grow, the seeds are closely controlled and it's labour intensive to pick. We also speak to a big commercial seed company about what's involved in creating new varieties of veg and what qualities plant breeders are looking for when they develop them.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney
United States
