20/10/26 Abattoirs, strawberry glut, apples and other top fruit

Available for 29 days

The decline in abattoirs across the UK has been an issue for many years. A new coalition of more than 150 organisations, has sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling for urgent government action. The Sustainable Food Trust, Soil Association, Rare Breeds Survival Trust and other groups claim the UK’s abattoir network has fallen to around 200, from roughly 2,500 in the 1970s. In Scotland crofters are about to benefit from a new initiative which could solve some of the problems: a moveable abattoir which will come to the farm. UK strawberries at Christmas? It doesn't seem likely but such a warm summer means a Worcestershire farmer says his growing season now stretches to December. However he's concerned his crops could go to waste because retailers are taking in imported fruit instead. This week, we're taking the pick of the top fruit harvest, that's apples, pears and plums - everything grown on trees. Apples are the biggest business, but this year the weather's challenged the orchards with frost, hail, extreme heat and drought. We speak to British Apples and Pears to find out how drought and heat have affected the harvest. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney