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Episode details

Radio 4,23 Apr 2026,14 mins

23/04/26 Fertiliser, fossil fuels, recycling farm plastics.

Farming Today

Available for 29 days

A new report warns that UK farming's reliance on imported fertiliser and minerals, puts it at risk in times of geopolitical stress. Analysis, published by the National Preparedness Commission, highlights the fragility of global supply chains on which UK agriculture depends. All week we've been looking at ideas for cutting emissions on the farm. Today we join Stuart Oates, a 7th generation farmer on The Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. He set himself a long term aim: to remove single-use plastics on the farm and end his family’s reliance on fossil fuels. Towards that goal, he’s taken up a Nuffield scholarship, travelling the world to see if the UK can learn from innovations elsewhere, to reduce emissions. We also hear from an organisation which helps farmers recycle their plastic waste. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

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