Sheep movements, GM, Sheepdog sales

The government aims to have 70% of all sheep, goat and deer movements in England registered on an electronic database by the end of the year. The Animal Reporting and Movement Service was launched last month. So far the new system has not been welcomed by farmers, with just a fifth of movements being registered on the database during this month. Caz Graham meets a farmer in the North Pennines who says she doesn't have confidence in the new system.

The European Union is one step closer to a decision on the future of GM crops. This week member states came to a general agreement in principal that each country should have the right to set their own policies when it comes to GM. The agreement it is to be voted on formally at a meeting of EU ministers next month. It will then need the backing of the newly elected European Parliament later in the year.

And we've heard about how the dog is supposedly man's best friend, but for some farmers their dog is far more than that, it's an essential workmate. Nicola Weir has been to the National Sheep Association's Northern Ireland Sheepdog Sale, where dogs are sold for large amounts of money.

Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Lucy Bickerton.