Farming Today Folgen

British tomato growers say they may be forced to end their growing season early and import more tomatoes because of the increasing costs of heating. They say the conflict in the Middle East has raised the price of gas, with some growers' bills doubling in the last 2 weeks. Growing tomatoes (and other crops) in glasshouses is an energy hungry industry, and with similar problems across Europe growers say consumers can expect price rises. Simon Conway is Chair of the British Tomato Growers Association.All this week we've been talking about fertiliser - and today its manure and slurry, or muck. There are rules governing this, which, as agriculture is devolved are slightly different across the UK. In Northern Ireland its the Nutrients Action Programme which covers the whole country, in the rest of the UK we have Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - NVZ's - which cover 55% of England, five areas of Scotland, and the whole of Wales. They all restrict WHEN farmers can spread muck, and how much per hectare. But as the weather becomes less predictable, farmers particularly in Wales say the rules are too restrictive. Sally Challoner reports A concession had allowed around 75 shearers from Australia and New Zealand to work here for the season without a work visa - the policy was due to end this year. After warnings that ending it would impact sheep welfare the government now says it will allow shearers in, but there will be more checks and they will have to get a visa at a cost of £682. Jill Hewitt is from the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, Charlotte Smith asked her if the cost of this year's visa could put shearers off coming to the UK.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Marie Lennon

It's less than a month before the new inheritance tax comes in for farmers, and the Government's Finance Bill reaching the report stage is a last chance for any amendments to be considered. After a Government u-turn at the end of the year, the tax threshold was increased, but there are concerns the policy still doesn't give Tenant Farmers, who don't own their land, the same advantage. The Tenant Farmers Association share their concerns. A farm vets practise in Gloucestershire is offering free workshops for Young Farmers groups to spend time with their vets asking questions and taking part in practical workshops. Marie Lennon went to Tyndale Vets for one of the sessions. For decades, farmers have used sewage sludge, or bio solids as fertiliser. That's the waste that comes from us after it's been cleaned up in water treatment plants. Compared to imported artificial fertiliser, its very cheap - it can even be free. But there's concern that sewage-derived fertiliser may contain microplastics, pharmaceuticals and some so-called forever chemicals. The government is proposing to tighten the rules on using sewage sludge on farmland Scotland introduced tighter rules a few months ago – and Wales is also looking to reform. Tom Heap reports.Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Marie Lennon