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13/05/20 - Safety in meat processing, cheese exports, the Agriculture Bill and reopening the rural economy

The trade union Unite is demanding the temporary closure of a poultry processing plant in Northern Ireland after the death of a worker there from COVID-19.

The trade union Unite is demanding the temporary closure of a poultry processing plant in Northern Ireland after the death of a worker there from COVID-19. We ask whether enough is being done to ensure workers in all meat processing factories can do their job safely.

We speak to cheese makers about how a combination of US tariffs and COVID-19 have hit their sales...and find out what it takes to sell English cheese to the French!

The Agriculture Bill - which replaces the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy - is expected to pass through the House of Commons today. It lays out the future for farming in England - since agricultural policy is devolved - and it’s main purpose is to set out regulation around a new financial support system for farmers, animal welfare standards, conservation and food production.

And how long will it be till rural tourism businesses can get back on their feet? Even in a good year many farmers actually make more money out of rural tourism than they do growing food. After the bad weather we've had this year, many farmers will have been hoping their tourism businesses could pick up the shortfall...but then COVID-19 happened. Now, the Country Land and Business Association has published a report looking at re-starting the rural economy and is calling on the government for a clear pathway to re-opening tourism as lockdown eases.

Presented by Anna Hill
Produced by Heather Simons

13 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 13 May 2020 05:45

Podcast