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It鈥檚 been a year since farmers gathered in Birmingham for their annual conference, the last big get-together before lockdown hit. Yesterday, the 2021 NFU Conference was held virtually, with hundreds of farmers listening in and asking questions from kitchen tables and home offices across the country. During the conference the Defra secretary, George Eustice, gave more details about how farmers would be paid in future, and said his office would support horticulture growers who recently voted against a levy payable to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

The NFU itself used the conference to publish a report saying that a new approach to 'levelling up' rural Britain could create jobs, increase exports and improve the wellbeing of the entire nation. Anna Hill spoke to NFU president Minette Batters about the plan.

Meanwhile, for the first time in 13 years the Labour Party leader addressed the conference. Sir Keir Starmer told delegates that, despite perceptions, he has strong connections to the countryside - and went on to announce a full review of Labour's agriculture policies.

And as we continue this week's focus on trawling, Heather Simons finds out how fish markets have been impacted this year by the COVID pandemic, and by the UK leaving the EU.

Presented by Anna Hill
Produced in Bristol by Natalie Donovan