02/05/2012

Leading researchers are sending an open letter to a group of anti-GM protesters pleading with them to reconsider destroying vital trial crops. In the unprecedented letter, the team of scientists from Rothamsted Research are urging the group to talk and not trash their plants. Protesters say they plan to take the action to stop any potential cross pollination with existing wheat strains in the environment.

And as rain batters many parts of the UK, farmers say the water damage is already costing them thousands of pounds. Cath Mackie is in water logged Tewkesbury to meet a dairy farmer whose cattle were quickly brought back inside when the pastures flooded, whilst reporter Sarah Falkingham is with potato farmers as they dig ditches and pump out fields near Selby in Yorkshire.

This programme was presented by Cath Mackie and produced in Birmingham by Angela Frain.