27/01/2012

How British food exports could be the key to an ailing economy, Charlotte Smith investigates. Today, the government launches an export action plan to help smaller companies sell their produce abroad. Farming Today visits the oldest producer of smoked salmon in London to find out what makes exporting food difficult.

The mild winter means more rats, mice and rabbits on farmland than ever before. Clare Freeman goes underground an arable farmer's grain store to see the evidence for herself. But whilst the warmer weather means good news for pests, it's also of benefit to birds. Charlotte asks the RSPB if it means this years Big Garden Birdwatch may paint a different picture than previous surveys.

And EU Commission spokesperson, Frederic Vincent, tells Farming Today the UK is lucky not to be facing legal action over the continued use of battery cages. Charlotte asks, if the UK isn't compliant by DEFRA's new deadline of 1st February, what the penalties will be.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Clare Freeman in Birmingham.