01/06/2010

The Environment Agency has denied that its decision not to dredge rivers in Cumbria added to the problems caused by last November's floods. In yesterdays programme, we heard from farmers in Cockermouth who are still dealing with problems created by the flooding. Many are critical of the way the recovery has been handled. Also on Farming Today, British farmers may be unwittingly buying fake pesticides, and spraying crops with chemicals which are dangerous to them, and others. That's according to CropLife International, the federation representing the plant science industry, who say that worldwide, the counterfeit pesticide industry is now worth 420 million pounds. Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says it is not a widespread problem in the UK although there are no figures either way.
Presenter: Charlotte Smith, Producer: Anna Varle.