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Wildlife and conservation groups have criticised the government for the late publication of legally binding targets for environmental protection. The Wildlife Trusts and the Soil Association say failing to set key clean water targets is unacceptable and they also criticise a reduction in overall tree planting targets. However, DEFRA says the targets, which are requirements under the Environment Act "will drive forward action to tackle climate change, restore our natural capital and protect our much-loved landscapes and green spaces."

A new deal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and protect 30% of land and oceans across the world by 2030, has been agreed by almost 200 countries at the UN biodiversity summit, COP15. The Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said the UK played a leading role in negotiations and the UK pledged up to 29 million pounds to help developing countries meet the ‘30by30’ land target and other projects.

Preliminary results of a new paper which has yet to be peer-reviewed, is reporting that the number of earthworms in soil may have reduced by a third over the last 25 years. The study by British Trust for Ornithology researchers collated 100 years of data.

The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme is being rolled out by the Department for Agriculture in Northern Ireland and the Agri Food and BioSciences Institute, taking soil samples from 700,000 fields to provide farmers with detailed information on their soil.

All week we’re focusing on rural communities at Christmas. It's a time of year when we often spend a little more on food and at the Penllyn Estate in Cowbridge in Wales is encouraging shoppers to buy local produce over the festive season.

Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney