03/12/24 - Belfast Lough pollution, neonic legal allegations, raw milk testing and poultry supply chain jobs

An investigation by BBC Northern Ireland’s Spotlight programme has found that untreated sewage is spilling into Belfast Lough from the Government owned company, Northern Ireland water. That’s having a devastating impact on those who use the lough, particularly its shellfish industry.

The Office for Environmental Protection has said it believes DEFRA may have broken environmental laws when allowing the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, in 2023 and 2024. Neonic seed treatments were banned because they are harmful to bees...but the Government has issued emergency authorisation allowing their use on sugar beet, for the last 4 years.

A daily on-farm test for milk safety is being trialled by six dairy farms selling unpasteurised, or raw milk, direct to consumers. Un-pasteurised milk can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning... At the moment, raw milk is tested, but often the results aren't available until AFTER it's been sold and drunk. We visit one of the farms involved in the trial.

And not all the people who work in food and farming are farmers... As part of our focus on labour in the food supply chain, we meet members of the "Young Women in Poultry Production" group.

Presented by Anna Hill
Produced by Rebecca Rooney