10/05/2010

Slugs are a major pest on farms and in gardens but farmers are now being told to significantly reduce the amount of slug pellets they use or they'll be banned. A study has found that more metaldehyde, the pesticide used in most pellets, is getting through the soil and into rivers. Although the chemicals industry insists it isn't harmful to wildlife or humans, the level of metaldehyde must be reduced to 0.1 parts per billion to comply with EU rules. Also on Farming Today, we'll be taking a closer look at British wildlife. Spring has sprung, and this should be a great time of year for insects and mammals. But recently Natural England warned that nearly 500 plants and animals have become extinct in England and virtually all of these have been lost within the last two centuries. There are now fears the familiar farmland bird; the lapwing could soon disappear from some parts of the UK.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Anna Varle.