麻豆约拍

The equine industry is worth 拢7 billion pounds a year to the economy and, in the last 12 months, 4.5 million Britons went riding. But the British Horse Society says it's also in the grip of a welfare disaster, with too many horses and not enough good homes. This week we are looking at the successes and challenges of the equine industry and kick off by speaking to Lee Hackett, director of policy at the British Horse Society.

Charlotte also discusses the risks and opportunities that could come out of a proposed free trade deal between Europe and the United States. The European farmers' organisation Copa Cogeca says it could mean problems for beef and pig farmers who'd be forced to compete with cheaper American meat, but potentially good news for wine and olive oil producers who would benefit from a new market for luxury products.

Sticking with trade concerns, Irish beef farmers have accused retailers on both sides of Irish Sea of paying them less than their British counterparts even though their product meets the same standard. They've organised protests to highlight low prices and RTE's Damien O'Reilly has a special report from Dublin.

Strawberry growers in the UK may be able to maintain yields and reduce irrigation inputs by up to 40%, by inoculating plants with naturally-occurring soil-dwelling fungi, according to scientists at East Malling Research in Kent.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Anna Jones.