16/02/22 Poor mental health in farming; rare breeds Cotswold Lion sheep and Eriskay ponies

A new study says farmers were already struggling before the pandemic and now their mental health is at a critical point. The University of Reading's Dr David Rose tells us that farmers are facing unprecedented challenges and Brexit, rising costs, changes to subsidies and criticism of farming, are all adding to the strain.

We're looking at rare breeds all week and Sybil Ruscoe is in the home of the Cotswold Lion sheep, one of our 'at risk' breeds. This proud, woolly breed was once common, roaming the hillsides around the great wool towns of the Cotswolds.

Some rare breeds are at risk of inbreeding because their numbers are so small but Eriskay ponies, from the Scottish island of the same name, are being helped by a dating agency and 'mate matching' to widen the gene pool.

Presented by Sybil Ruscoe and produced by Beatrice Fenton.