05/07/23 Highly Protected Marine Areas; Animal waste; Egg packing.
Three highly protected marine areas come into force off Cumbria, the north east coast and the English Channel. Fishermen say they're a mistake.
Three Highly Protected Marine Areas are coming into operation off the English Coast. The new areas are: Allonby Bay, on the Cumbrian Coast; North East of Farnes Deep off the North East; and Dolphin Head in the English Channel. The Scottish government abandoned plans for a similar move, which would have prevented fishing in 10 percent of Scottish coastal waters, after the fishing fleet objected. We ask the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations what they think of the new English Highly Protected Marine Areas.
Figures have been compiled by the charity Sustain, which works with farmers on environmentally friendly farming, about the amount of waste from livestock farming. The group claims that what it calls 'industrial' livestock farming - they class that as indoor pigs, chickens and 20 percent of the dairy herd in the UK - produces more than 50,000 tonnes of untreated excreta - or poo - each day. They say that's more than a hundred double decker buses full, each hour! We ask an expert on fresh water quality and animal waste, how can the UK deal with it, without damaging the environment?
All week we are taking a closer look at egg production. It's had a really difficult time, as the worst bird flu outbreak hit last year, combined with soaring feed and fuel costs which led to egg shortages We speak to a packer who buys eggs from eleven farmers. He tells us why all his producers have switched from free-range to barn systems, until they feel it's safe to go back to free-range.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney
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