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Farm Gate

Farm Gate

By ffinlo Costain

The regenerative agriculture podcast, in search of practical solutions for ecological security.
Produced by 8.9ha: www.8point9.com
With financial support from Our Sankalpa
Farming news, Regenerative farming, agroecology, land use, natural capital, land news
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Currently playing episode

Urban food

Farm GateJul 05, 2022

00:00
42:45
Wheat from the Chaff: Wye chicken? Unlocking nature finance - And special guest: Rob Yorke
Mar 26, 202451:39
8.9 Newsweek - Soil carbon assessments and method of production labels

8.9 Newsweek - Soil carbon assessments and method of production labels

Four conversations today - first, I'll meet David Wright, the Chief Executive of Ecometric, to find out about how exactly soil carbon is measured - then after that I'll talk to Chris D'Agorne from Life to Land about an analysis that shows that the non-native sycamore is now the UK's third most populous tree species. Later I'll discuss the benefits of having more trees on farms with Huw Evans from Three Pools, and we'll round up the programme with a conversation about the Westminster government's proposals for mandatory method of production labelling with Peter Stevenson and Catherine Jadav from Compassion in World Farming.


Mar 15, 202439:07
Wheat from the Chaff (re-edit): Soil science, biodiversity renewal, and special guest: Chris Smaje

Wheat from the Chaff (re-edit): Soil science, biodiversity renewal, and special guest: Chris Smaje

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's land use news - and meet special guest, Chris Smaje, author of "Saying NO to a farm-free future"

This is a re-edit of the original podcast, which contained inaccuracies in the first section (soil carbon intro). NEWS ARTICLES DISCUSSED: New paradigm in soil science shows vast potential for carbon storage Good soil management reduces the “high risk of conventional grazing” White paper connects regenerative agriculture with nutrient density "They belong to this land" - The Reindeer Chronicles INTERVIEW: CHRIS SMAJE “Cities, like feedlots, need to import food and water from afar" THIRD SECTION No single stretch of river in England in “good ecological health” Hedgerow regulations will be brought into English law Farmers look to help rivers by cutting plough use in maize trials River restoration key to saving Scotland’s disappearing salmon


Mar 11, 202445:45
"They belong to this land" - The Reindeer Chronicles
Mar 07, 202456:00
Wheat from the Chaff - Sycamores, Ecocide, the SDP and special guest: Heather Wildman
Mar 04, 202448:06
Wheat from the Chaff - BNG, Organic markets, £1bn from the Lib Dems and special guest: Andy Heald

Wheat from the Chaff - BNG, Organic markets, £1bn from the Lib Dems and special guest: Andy Heald

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Phil Carson catch up on the week's land use news - and meet forestry expert, Andrew Heald.

News items they discuss:

Highland estate to generate biodiversity credits with SLR and RePlanet

https://8point9.com/highland-estate-to-generate-biodiversity-credits-with-slr-and-replanet/

How will BNG affect the UK biodiversity credit market? Max Bodmer, RePlanet

https://8point9.com/how-will-bng-affect-the-uk-biodiversity-credit-market-max-bodmer-replanet/

Call for “radical rethink” to reap benefits of UK organic market for farmers

https://8point9.com/call-for-radical-rethink-to-reap-benefits-of-uk-organic-market-for-farmers/

40 projects to benefit from £25 million funding for natural flood management

https://8point9.com/40-projects-to-benefit-from-25-million-funding-for-natural-flood-management/

African Development Bank policies “undermining biodiversity”

https://8point9.com/african-development-bank-policies-undermining-biodiversity/

“China and Brazil can lead harmonised criteria” for green agriculture

https://8point9.com/china-and-brazil-can-lead-harmonised-criteria-for-green-agriculture/


SPECIAL GUEST

Is the UK facing a timber crisis?

https://8point9.com/is-the-uk-facing-a-timber-crisis/

Wood-based construction can reduce emissions and store carbon long-term

https://8point9.com/wood-based-construction-can-reduce-emissions-and-store-carbon-long-term/


LONGER CONVO -

Liberal Democrats promise £1bn extra for English farmers

https://8point9.com/liberal-democrats-promise-1bn-extra-for-english-farmers/

Prime Minister “needs to map a realistic future for farmers”

https://8point9.com/prime-minister-needs-to-map-a-realistic-future-for-farmers/

Welsh Government says “We are listening”

https://8point9.com/welsh-government-says-we-are-listening/

AND Embrace the canopy – Wales’ Sustainable Farm Scheme

https://8point9.com/embrace-the-canopy-wales-sustainable-farm-scheme/


Feb 26, 202449:34
8.9 Newsweek - Biodiversity credits, liver fluke, time capsules and diversity in the countryside

8.9 Newsweek - Biodiversity credits, liver fluke, time capsules and diversity in the countryside

Interviews with:

Max Bodmer from RePlanet - 1'05''

Elina Body from Vet Sustain and The George Farm Vets - 14'45''

Dr Kelly Hemmings from RAU - 24'50''

Navaratnam Partheeban from IVC Evidensia Farm Vets - 30'50''

Feb 23, 202445:39
Wheat from the chaff: Liver fluke, Labour ahead in the countryside, and special guest, Niels Corfield
Feb 19, 202454:57
Wheat from the Chaff: Scottish funding, National Parks, and local food with special guest, Rachel Jones

Wheat from the Chaff: Scottish funding, National Parks, and local food with special guest, Rachel Jones

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew through the week's land news, and talk to special guest, Rachel Jones (Sustain), about local food.


News topics discussed:

Scotland: Yousaf to continue 70 per cent direct funding, dependent on greening

https://8point9.com/scotland-yousaf-to-continue-70-per-cent-direct-funding-dependent-on-greening/


Survey reveals bleak relations between landlords and tenant farmers - FFINLO

https://8point9.com/survey-reveals-bleak-relations-between-landlords-and-tenant-farmers/


“Hidden” record of UK’s historic biodiversity to be digitised - PHIL

https://8point9.com/hidden-record-of-uks-historic-biodiversity-to-be-digitised/


UK-wide exhibition spotlights regenerative food producers - FFINLO

https://8point9.com/uk-wide-exhibition-spotlights-regenerative-food-producers/


Traceability markers to deliver transparency in recycled cotton supply chain - PHIL

https://8point9.com/traceability-markers-to-deliver-transparency-in-recycled-cotton-supply-chain/


Cairngorms awarded £10.7 million to become first net zero UK National Park

https://8point9.com/cairngorms-awarded-10-7-million-to-become-first-net-zero-uk-national-park/


National Parks must work for everyone

https://8point9.com/national-parks-must-work-for-everyone/

Feb 12, 202454:15
8.9 Newsweek - Welsh farming, Scottish food and Planet Soil

8.9 Newsweek - Welsh farming, Scottish food and Planet Soil

Four interviews today:

  • Rowan Phillimore from The Gaia Foundation about the We Feed The UK arts project
  • Pete Ritchie from Nourish Scotland about the country's progress towards being a Good Food Nation
  • Jon Parker from the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission in Wales talking about Welsh farm policy
  • And Ignas van Schaick, the co-producer of a new movie, Planet Soil, which delves deep into the earth, turning invertebrates into stars.
Feb 09, 202438:28
Wheat from the Chaff - Euro protests, high tech hedgerows and special guest, Rhys Evans, from NFFN Wales
Feb 05, 202451:45
Wheat from the Chaff - With special guest, Stephen Alexander, NFFN Northern Ireland
Jan 29, 202401:06:59
8.9 Newsweek - Natural capital, UK dairy, hemp & more

8.9 Newsweek - Natural capital, UK dairy, hemp & more

A bumper programme, with five interviews covering everything from natural capital markets available to farmers to the fact that climate change is happening faster than predicted in Scotland. We'll hear from the Food Ethics Council about their proposals for UK dairy, from the head of the RSPB's Fair to Nature, and from a farmer who's successfully introduced hemp as a break crop.


Helen Avery from the Green Finance Institute
Abi Williams from the Food Ethics Council
Christy York from the Hutton Wandesley Estate
Mark Varney from Fair to Nature
And Dr Mike Rivington from the James Hutton Institute.

Jan 26, 202450:41
8.9 Newsweek: Focus on regenerative cattle breeding
Jan 19, 202440:44
Wheat From the Chaff - With special guest: Rob Havard, Phepson Angus
Jan 15, 202453:53
Wheat from the Chaff - With special guest, Clare Hill from Planton Farm

Wheat from the Chaff - With special guest, Clare Hill from Planton Farm

ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's news - and welcome special guest, Clare Hill from Planton Farm.
Links to topics discussed:
First Milk farms revolutionising biodiversity and soil health assessment
Changes to Woodland Carbon Code threaten UK timber supplies
Woodland regeneration increases by 25% at Highlands National Nature Reserve
Why nature-based solutions are essential in the carbon market
Roots to Regeneration: a year-long transition programme for farmers and food professionals
Cash boost and new incentives for nature-friendly farming welcomed
Wildlife at risk on farms as vital hedge and river rules vanish
Jan 08, 202452:08
Farm Gate: How to wear Bullock 374
Dec 22, 202353:50
Wheat from the Chaff: Tree equity, Commoning and Nature as infrastructure
Dec 18, 202343:15
8.9 Newsweek - Agroforestry, Forty Farms & COP28

8.9 Newsweek - Agroforestry, Forty Farms & COP28

Interviews with:

Lesley Lambert from the Sustainable Food Trust - in advance of COP28 - talking about the opportunities

Andrew Mahon from the Bromborough Estate Company on agroforestry

Amy Bateman, the photographer behind Forty Farms - and coffee table book and now a farm trail photography exhibition

Patrick Holden on COP28 - his reflections from the inside.

Dec 15, 202344:06
Wheat from the Chaff: Parliamentary push back against regen, UK obesity & Migration
Dec 11, 202353:57
Wheat from the Chaff: COP28, Greenwash & Insects as livestock
Dec 04, 202348:50
8.9 Newsweek: Cities lead the way on climate and food systems

8.9 Newsweek: Cities lead the way on climate and food systems

Interviews with:

Nicole Pita from IPES Food (cities and regions leading the way on climate and food systems),

Xander Mahony from Tilhill (learning to love Sitka),

Jo White from Human Behaviour Change for Life (benefits of switching from a trade in live animals to a trade in meat),

And Dominic Elsworth from Whistlebare farm (Britain's wool trade).

Dec 01, 202345:38
Wheat from the Chaff: Adaptation, Sitka & Buried EA report
Nov 27, 202301:09:57
8.9 Newsweek: Peak nitrogen, comic-comms & FiPL

8.9 Newsweek: Peak nitrogen, comic-comms & FiPL

Features interviews with:

John Willis from Planet Tracker,

Chris Uttley from Stroud District Council,

And Tom Munro from Dorset National Landscape.

More land news at 8point9.com

Nov 24, 202330:56
Wheat from the Chaff: UPFs, peak nitrogen and a new Secretary of State

Wheat from the Chaff: UPFs, peak nitrogen and a new Secretary of State

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew over the week's news.

PHIL'S PICKS

Higher consumption of UPFs increases the risk of cancer and long-term heart conditions

https://8point9.com/higher-consumption-of-upfs-increases-the-risk-of-cancer-and-long-term-heart-conditions/

Investigating the “halo effect” of food claims

https://8point9.com/investigating-the-halo-effect-of-food-claims/

Nitrogen fertiliser production outstrips global needs and exceeds planetary boundaries

https://8point9.com/nitrogen-fertiliser-production-outstrips-global-needs-and-exceeds-planetary-boundaries/

FFINLO'S PICKS

Diverse forests hold huge carbon potential if well managed

https://8point9.com/diverse-forests-hold-huge-carbon-potential-if-well-managed/

#GetFairAboutFarming petition hits 75,000 signatures

https://8point9.com/getfairaboutfarming-petition-hits-75000-signatures/

THE BIGGER STORIES

Ruth Chambers, Green Alliance, New Defra Secretary

https://8point9.com/ruth-chambers-green-alliance-new-defra-secretary/

Patrick Holden, A farmer’s view, New Secretary of State

https://8point9.com/patrick-holden-a-farmers-view-new-secretary-of-state/

AIC calls for independent committee to boost sustainable food security

https://8point9.com/aic-calls-for-independent-committee-to-boost-sustainable-food-security/

The Wildlife Trusts lists the UK’s Government’s broken promises to nature

https://8point9.com/the-wildlife-trusts-lists-the-uks-governments-broken-promises-to-nature/

Nov 20, 202301:04:20
8.9 Newsweek: New Defra Secretary & sustainable agri-food investment in Brazil

8.9 Newsweek: New Defra Secretary & sustainable agri-food investment in Brazil

Interviews with:

Ruth Chambers from the Green Alliance.

Patrick Holden from the Sustainable Food Trust.

And Leonardo Gava from the Climate Bonds Initiative

Nov 17, 202335:11
Wheat from the Chaff: Forest ecosystem collapse

Wheat from the Chaff: Forest ecosystem collapse

Phil's choices

UK must double fruit and veg production to divert from “bleak” future

https://8point9.com/uk-must-double-fruit-and-veg-production-to-divert-from-bleak-future/


Genetic discovery promises high-iron vegetables and cereals

https://8point9.com/genetic-discovery-promises-high-iron-vegetables-and-cereals/


Milestone reached in evidencing sustainability credentials of Welsh upland farms

https://8point9.com/milestone-reached-in-evidencing-sustainability-credentials-of-welsh-upland-farms/


ffinlo's choices

Government communication hampering avian flu control measures

https://8point9.com/government-communication-hampering-avian-flu-control-measures/


Free comic book features flood management

https://8point9.com/free-comic-book-to-engage-young-people-around-flood-management/


Government complacent over rural mental health

https://8point9.com/government-complacent-over-rural-mental-health/


Main conversations

Landmark report shifts focus from food system emissions to fossil-fuel reliance

https://8point9.com/landmark-report-shifts-focus-from-food-system-emissions-to-fossil-fuel-reliance/


Historic herbivore densities could be substantially higher than thought

https://8point9.com/historic-herbivore-densities-could-be-substantially-higher-than-thought/


Experts predict “catastrophic ecosystem collapse” of UK forests within 50 years

https://8point9.com/experts-predict-catastrophic-ecosystem-collapse-of-uk-forests-within-50-years/

Nov 13, 202352:01
8.9 Newsweek: Report offers fossil fuel focus for food systems & British Pasture Leather

8.9 Newsweek: Report offers fossil fuel focus for food systems & British Pasture Leather

In 8.9 Newsweek:

Interviews with Patty Fong from the Global Alliance for the Future of Food & Sara Grady from British Pasture Leather.

And a discussion about Patty's new report, Power Shift -Why we need to wean industrial food systems off fossil fuels.


Nov 10, 202348:53
Wheat from the Chaff 2 - From 8.9 & NFFN
Nov 07, 202352:48
8.9 Newsweek: Meeting the demand for sustainable fashion

8.9 Newsweek: Meeting the demand for sustainable fashion

In this week's programme we hear:

INTERVIEW: With Dr Antje Ahrends from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh about ground-breaking research that shows that rubber is driving deforestation three times faster than previously thought.

DISCUSSION: A new report has warned that demand for sustainable fabrics could exceed supply by 130m tonnes by 2030. To discuss how we meet the rising demand for sustainable fashion, ffinlo Costain is joined by Dr Alana James from Northumbria University - Zoe Gilbertson from the UK Bast Fibre Network - and by Alice Robinson, author of Field, Fork, Fashion, and co-founder of the company, British Pasture Leather.


Nov 03, 202342:39
Wheat from the Chaff - by 8.9 and NFFN - Episode 1

Wheat from the Chaff - by 8.9 and NFFN - Episode 1

In Wheat from the Chaff (WFTC) ffinlo Costain (Editor-in-Chief of 8point9.com) and Phil Carson (UK Policy Lead for the Nature Friendly Farming Network) talk through the week's news on 8.9ha.


This is a new format - please bear with us - any feedback welcome!


SHOW NOTES:

Red Tractor’s voluntary environment module available from next April

https://8point9.com/red-tractors-voluntary-environment-module-available-from-next-april/


Budget cut adds to “unprecedented challenges” for Welsh farming

https://8point9.com/budget-cut-adds-to-unprecedented-challenges-for-welsh-farming/


Nature charities publish Nature Markets Principles to help combat greenwashing

https://8point9.com/nature-charities-publish-nature-markets-principles-to-help-combat-greenwashing/


Experts warn of risk of civil unrest in UK due to food shortages

https://8point9.com/experts-warn-of-risk-of-civil-unrest-in-uk-due-to-food-shortages/


World entering uncharted climate territory – Earth’s conditions may be unliveable for half the world’s population by 2100

https://8point9.com/world-entering-uncharted-climate-territory-earths-conditions-may-be-unliveable-for-half-the-worlds-population-by-2100/


Rubber drives deforestation three times faster than previously thought

https://8point9.com/rubber-drives-deforestation-three-times-faster-than-previously-thought/


8.9 TV:

David Webster, Chief Executive, LEAF Marque

https://8point9.com/david-webster-leaf-marque/


Antje Ahrends, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Rubber deforestation

https://8point9.com/antje-ahrends-royal-botanic-garden-edinburgh-rubber-deforestation/

Oct 30, 202342:36
8.9 Newsweek: 2024 Nuffield Scholars announced

8.9 Newsweek: 2024 Nuffield Scholars announced

This week ffinlo is joined by four of the new 2024 Nuffield Scholars - by Saba Amir, an academic at Aberystwyth University - Lucy George from Peterston Tea, based in the Vale of Glamorgan - Sophie Gregory, an Arla organic dairy farmer from Dorset - and Dan Jones, a sheep farmer from Great Orme in North Wales.

We also hear interviews with David Webster, the new Chief Executive of LEAF Marque - and with Tim May, from the Kingsclere Estate and the Pitch Up! initiative.

Oct 20, 202351:58
8.9 Newsweek: Labour policy on land use, trade and agriculture

8.9 Newsweek: Labour policy on land use, trade and agriculture

An interview with plant ecologist Dr Ruth Mitchell from The James Hutton Institute about visible and invisible forest diversity.

And this week's 8.9ha Discussion is on Labour party policy on land use, trade and agriculture.

ffinlo Costain is joined by Phil Carson, the UK Policy Lead for the Nature Friendly Farming Network, and by Vicki Hird, author of Rebugging the Planet, and Strategic Lead on Agriculture with The Wildlife Trusts.

Oct 13, 202350:27
8.9 Newsweek: Scottish Agriculture Bill

8.9 Newsweek: Scottish Agriculture Bill

The Scottish Government has unveiled its long-awaited Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill. This will replace the Common Agricultural Policy and aims to deliver the adoption and use of sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. To discuss the bill, I’ll be joined later in the programme, by Nikki Yoxall, a member of Scotland's Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board - by Andrew Connon, the vice president of the National Farmers Union, Scotland - and by Denise Walton, the chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network Scotland.

Before that we’ll hear from Elsie Blackshaw from the Rewildling Law Hub, and from Anna Woodley from Trinity Natural Capital Pro Council.

Oct 06, 202345:38
Farm Gate: Torpenhow's total transformation
Oct 02, 202338:26
8.9ha Newsweek - Is glyphosate critical for regen ag?

8.9ha Newsweek - Is glyphosate critical for regen ag?

Today we have two interviews, followed by a fantastic discussion about regenerative agriculture and the use of glyphosate.

INTERVIEW 1: The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission has unveiled research, which shows that the British public reject “nanny state” excuses and instead overwhelmingly back state intervention to tackle our health, climate and nature crises.

Dr Courtney Scott is the Director of Policy and Research at the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission – ffinlo Costain asks her whether politicians are more interested in the so-called “nanny state” than citizens?

INTERVIEW 2: The Global Terrorism Index 2023 shows that the ten countries most impacted by terrorism are also experiencing poverty, weak governance and conflict. Food and water scarcity - in part linked to climate change - act as a threat multiplier, accelerating instability.

David Wells is an independent global security consultant and former head of research and analysis for the Counter-Terrorism Directorate of the United Nations. ffinlo asks him how climate change is affecting terrorist recruitment globally?

DISCUSSION: This week's debate on 8point9.com has been centred on whether glyphosate is critical to regenerative farming. There are plenty of passionate farmers on both sides of this argument - but we invited Attila Kökény, a regenerative agriculture consultant from Hungary, and Marcus Link from New Foundation Farms to address this question in a series of articles. In this programme the debate becomes a conversation.


Sep 29, 202301:03:12
8.9ha Newsweek - Is low carbon beef an answer to the wrong question?

8.9ha Newsweek - Is low carbon beef an answer to the wrong question?

Discussion - Is low carbon beef an out-of-date answer to the wrong question? Interviews with Jo Raven from FAIRR, Professor Imke de Boer from Wageningen University & Research, and Dr Michelle Cain from Cranfield University.

Sep 22, 202354:02
8.9 Newsweek 15th Sept PART TWO: Nutrient neutrality - What just happened?

8.9 Newsweek 15th Sept PART TWO: Nutrient neutrality - What just happened?

ffinlo Costain, the Editor-in-Chief of 8point9.com, is joined by Jamie Evans-Freke from Knight Frank and Gabriel Connor-Streich from Greenshank Environmental.

The discussion is on nutrient neutrality - and what on earth happened in the UK Parliament this week when the government tried to scrap existing rules and force through a new, under-considered system, using an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Well - spoiler alert - they failed - but why, what next and how did the markets react?

Sep 15, 202330:08
8.9 Newsweek 15th Sept PART ONE: Forestry, hydrogen & Investment

8.9 Newsweek 15th Sept PART ONE: Forestry, hydrogen & Investment

In part one we hear three interviews. With:

  • David McCulloch from Tilhill on the urgent need to increase productive UK forestry for wood
  • Niamh Carr from The James Hutton Institute on proposals for a green hydrogen powered farm
  • And Stéphanie Mielnik from the Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute about the risk to investors if they buy bonds from companies with links to illegal deforestation.


Sep 15, 202322:09
Newsweek, from Farm Gate and 8point9.com - 08-09-23

Newsweek, from Farm Gate and 8point9.com - 08-09-23

This episode of 8.9 Newsweek features interviews with Professor Sir Dieter Helm, and Sofía Condés, Head of Investor Outreach at the FAIRR Initiative.

Sep 08, 202322:19
Farm Gate & 8point9.com - Newsweek 31-08-23

Farm Gate & 8point9.com - Newsweek 31-08-23

Welcome to News Week from 8point9.com - I'm ffinlo Costain. We've got two great interviews for you, each about really important subjects.
Now, you may noticed that the normal Farm Gate podcast has become a little more intermittent while we've been getting 8.9 hectares up and running - please do stay subscribed as we have some fantastic interviews and discussions planned for the coming weeks and months.
But - to make life easy - our News Week programme and Farm Gate will both be available for you on the same channel. THIS WEEK - Glastir Organic funding - Patrick Holden - and nutrient neutrality - Dr Gabriel Connor-Streich.


MORE NEWS AT 8point9.com

Aug 31, 202322:09
A Consensus on Food, Farming and Nature

A Consensus on Food, Farming and Nature

This is the audio version of a webinar in which the chief executives of RSPB, Soil Association and Nature Friendly Farming Network discuss the Consensus for Food, Farming and Nature - hosted by Farm Gate, which is now part of 8point9.com

Panellists:

Helen Browning - Chief Executive, Soil Association

Beccy Speight - Chief Executive, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Martin Lines - Chief Executive, Nature Friendly Farming Network

Panel chair - ffinlo Costain, Editor, 8point9.com

Find out more about the Consensus - https://www.foodfarmingnature.org/

Poll results from webinar

1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Ecological security is essential for food production, human wellbeing & prosperity

Results: 100% agreement with 91% Strongly Agree and 9% Agree

2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: New technology will have the most important role in helping the agriculture sector meet net zero

Results: 5% strongly agree 19%agree 32% neutral 32% disagree 12% strongly disagree

3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The UK Government has overlooked the link between food and a resilient society

Results: 66% Strongly agree 24% agree 7% neutral 4% disagree

Aug 18, 202353:43
Farmers, Copa Cogeca and the NFU

Farmers, Copa Cogeca and the NFU

An investigation by Lighthouse Reports has targeted the powerful European farming lobby group, Copa-Cogeca, which they say “is losing legitimacy even as it stymies the EU’s green agenda and hoovers up public funds.”

In this programme we'll explore issues raised by the Lighthouse Reports investigation - and think about the legitimacy and the policy role of the National Farmers' Union, the largest farmers' organisation in the United Kingdom.

ffinlo Costain is by Thin Lei Win, a co-author of the report - and by Jimmy Woodrow, the executive director of Pasture for Life in the UK.

Jul 21, 202346:17
Saying NO to a farm-free future
Jun 19, 202351:07
Live panel: Natural Capital - What farmers and policy makers need to know

Live panel: Natural Capital - What farmers and policy makers need to know

In this panel session we discuss a new report, Natural Capital: what farmers and policy makers need to know, which seeks to understand how new and emerging markets in natural capital fit into a changing landscape for farmers. The report was commissioned by the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission – it was written by Professor Fergus Lyon and Dr Amy Burnett from Middlesex University – and it was supported by the Prince’s Countryside Fund.

ffinlo Costain, Chief Editor of 8point9.com, is joined by:

Professor Fergus Lyon – author of the report – and director of the Centre for Enterprise, Environment and Development Research at Middlesex University.

Lucy Bates -co-lead for the Farming Transition Programme at the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.

And Charlie Davis, a partner at Sylvestris Land Management, a land and rural business consultancy specialising in environmental land management.

May 26, 202354:19
Live panel: Alternative Food Summit

Live panel: Alternative Food Summit

At the UK prime minister’s summit this week a package of measures to support British farming was unveiled. But the summit failed to address the enormous existing and future fragility in Britain’s food system – or its impact on the natural world, public health, global supply chains or indeed the wellbeing of those actually living and working in the countryside. What should have been on the table at the prime minister’s Downing Street Food Summit? Our panel: Martin Lines, Chair, Nature Friendly Farming Network Phil Stocker, Chief Executive, National Sheep Association Natalie Bennett, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Green Party Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive, Food, Farming & Countryside Commission Rebecca Mayhew, Old Hall Farm, Pasture for Life Ben Reynolds, Deputy Director, Sustain Dan Parker, Chief Executive, Veg Power Chaired by ffinlo Costain, Chief Editor, 8.9ha
May 19, 202355:09
The one with George Eustice
Apr 28, 202354:44
Outwintering cattle
Apr 21, 202342:47
Regen: the next decade
Mar 30, 202301:05:14
Where the wilder things are

Where the wilder things are

Wilder Doddington is at the start of a hundred year project to bring more nature back to the Doddington Estate - working to restore ecosystems to benefit people and nature.  In this programme ffinlo Costain is joined by Wilder Doddington's Isobel Wright and the independent farm advisor, Liz Genever, who's working with Isobel and advising on cattle management.  The conversation ranges from the exciting activity at Wilder Doddington to a discussion about some of the more controversial aspects of the rewilding movement.


Mar 16, 202347:37