10/06/2011

Drought status is announced for much of Eastern England. The Environment Agency tells Charlotte Smith that farmers are worst affected and domestic supplies are safe, for now. The area is hugely important for crop production and some farmers have already warned that yields will be down by as much as 50%.

Farming Today looks at the Government's idea of 'biodiversity offsetting', where developers can build on a piece of land which is important to wildlife, if they compensate by creating, or buying a wildlife area elsewhere. The Wildlife Trusts warn that this must not be at the expense of valuable habitats.

And as 450 farms preparing to open their gates to 180,000 people for Open Farm Sunday, the BBC's Farmer of the Year shows the lengths to which farmers must go, to keep the public safe.

Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Melvin Rickarby.