Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

27/11/23 - Commercial forestry, Landscape Recovery in the Lakes and UK food attaches

The UK has planted 13,000 hectares of trees this year - that's less than half of the annual target of 30,000 hectares, and 7,000 down on last year.

The UK has planted 13,000 hectares of trees this year - that's less than half of the annual target of 30,000 hectares, and 7,000 down on last year. The figures come in the latest annual 'UK Forest Market report' from Tilhill and Goldcrest - two companies which plant and manage woodlands. They say that for the first time in almost a decade the value of commercial forestry has dropped - by between 10 and 20% - and that while people value things made from wood they don't value commercial forestry.

We visit a Landscape Recovery Scheme in the Lake District. Landscape Recovery is part of the Environmental Land Management Schemes which are replacing the EU's Common Agriculture Policy in England. Other schemes are being designed by the devolved Governments. Landscape Recovery is work on a grand scale, giving farmers and land managers the opportunity to co-design a plan to provide environmental and climate benefits across a whole landscape.

And we hear from two of the UK's Food and Drink Attaches. A job selling British food and drink round the world might sound rather glamourous - in fact it's more about tackling trade barriers than wining and dining. The UK's has 11 agri-food attaches based in Embassies and Consulates around the world - 5 more will be added next year. These jobs were created after criticism of the UK's lack of emphasis on food exports. Other countries have had such roles for many years.

Presented by Charlotte Smith
Produced for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

11 minutes

Broadcast

  • Mon 27 Nov 2023 05:45

Podcast