23/02/2011

The government is investing £7 million to develop new varieties of wheat for the UK and abroad in an attempt to feed a rising global population. Scientists from five different research centres are using traits from ancient varieties of wheat and other cereals to breed modern strains, which could produce more food without harming the environment. Anna Hill visits the John Innes Centre in Norwich to speak with Professor Graham Moore.

A farmer has won a judicial review against the Rural Payments Agency, after it fined him a total of £50,000 for making a mistake on his subsidy claim form. Judge David Mackie ruled that the RPA had unfairly imposed a financial penalty and withheld money owed to Peter Strawson, who farms in Lincolnshire.

The Liberal Democrat Tessa Munt MP says that some of her constituents in Wells are still waiting for their payments from the Rural Payment Agency and are unable to pay their bills. Paul Caldwell from the RPA responds to her concerns.

Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Emma Weatherill.