28/06/2010

24 years after the Chernobyl disaster, hundreds of British farmers still affected by radioactivity are demanding a rise in the compensation payments. Farmers are still being paid the same in compensation as they were in 1986. After the accident, raised levels of radiation were detected in new lambs, and restrictions were placed on thousands of sheep farms across the UK to avoid contaminated meat from entering the food chain. Radiation levels in Scotland have now dropped and the Food Standards Agency has just released the last Scottish sheep farm from restrictions. But in Cumbria, 8 farms are still affected, and in Wales, 355 farms still have to have their flocks checked for radiation. Also in Farming Today, it's becoming more and more popular to keep farm animals in the back garden. Government figures show the number of people keeping small numbers of pigs, chickens and cows on their land is increasing. But there are concerns amongst farmers that these very small holdings are not abiding by strict health and safety controls and are putting their animals at risk from disease. Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Anna Varle.