28/11/24 - Risk of 'fear and resistance' amongst farmers, parsnip harvest, wildfire management

The Government 'risks creating a culture of fear and resistance' amongst farmers, according to the Nature Friendly Farmers Network. It's highlighting the suspension of grants which help farmers in England invest in infrastructure to improve the environment. That's things like better slurry storage to protect waterways or planting hedges to reduce soil erosion. Defra says the Capital Grants Scheme has been temporarily closed after unprecedented demand.
Scotland's fire service says rural communities need to prepare for bigger and more wildfires in the years ahead. The service is spending £1.6m on new equipment as changing land use and the warming climate increase the risk posed by wildfires.
All week we're taking a closer look at winter veg, and today it's parsnips.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.