Farm Gate
By ffinlo Costain
Produced by 8.9ha: www.8point9.com
With financial support from Our Sankalpa
Farming news, Regenerative farming, agroecology, land use, natural capital, land news
Farm GateJan 08, 2024
8.9 Newsweek - Peatland, worm-dancing, deer and venture capital
What exactly do the Soil Association mean by a Worm Hunt, and why do they want us to dance for these wriggly ecosystem warriors? Can venture capital really help to scale the transition to regenerative agriculture? Why has deer management become such a divisive issue in Scotland? And the latest UK Peatland Code revision is now open for consultation.
Interviews with:
Dr Renée Kerkvliet-Hermans from the IUCN UK Peatland Programme - 0'25''
Alex Burton, Head of Worms at the Soil Association - 7'57''
Simon Evill from Pelican Ag - 12'51''
Tom Turnbull from the Association of Deer Management Groups - 22'13''
8.9 Newsweek - Timber! Micro farms, AMR, and regen misconceptions
Do we seriously need to chop down more trees to address the climate crisis?
What about food? Is it possible to make a living from a third of an acre of land?
In a world struggling with antimicrobial resistance - what's the WHO doing downgrading a whole class of antibiotics?
And what about my farm - regenerative agriculture - it's a great idea, but it'll never work here!
I speak to regenerative farming advisor, Tim Williams - 0'40''
Paul Brannen, the author of Timber! How wood can help save the world from climate breakdown - 12'50''
Dr Laura Higham a veterinary consultant for FAI Farms - 25'15''
And Ben Hartman the author of The Lean Micro Farm - 37'10''
Wheat from the Chaff podcast: Flooding, Universal income & In-field crop diversity
Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) discuss the week’s land use news - including: Government must deliver promised flood support, says CLA
“Slurry pollution as damaging as sewage”
NFFN unveils UK general election manifesto
Farmers demand Universal Basic Income
Research finds ten times more pests in insecticide-treated corn fields
In-field crop diversity could deliver ecological resilience
Urgent need for new approach to combat global grassland degradation
8.9 Newsweek - A fit-for-purpose farming budget
Five interviews today - on topics ranging from the constant struggle for tenant farmers to dangers of slurry pollution.
1'08'' Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network discusses the NFFN's general election manifesto, which includes a call for a fit-for-purpose farming budget
12'29'' Peter Powell from the Welsh Dee Trust talks about the terrible impact farm slurry can have on rivers
20'34'' Vicky Vanderstichele from North Star Transition tells me that scale is critical when it comes to financing nature-based solutions
32'09'' George Dunn, the chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, tells me about the often poor relationship between tenant farmers and their landlords
42'35'' And finally, Robin Walter from the Soil Association, makes the case for regenerative forestry.
Wheat from the Chaff: Wye chicken? Unlocking nature finance - And special guest: Rob Yorke
Wheat from the Chaff: Wye chicken? Unlocking nature finance - And special guest: Rob Yorke
Class-action-style claim takes on chicken giant, Avara
Report focusses on unlocking finance for nature
Updated carbon offsetting principles aim to combat greenwashing
SPECIAL GUEST: Rob Yorke
Welsh Government: New Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs confirmed
“Where is the Land Use Framework?” asks EAC
Questions remain over England’s plan for improving soil health
Government caps land area used for six key SFI payments
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.
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
"They belong to this land" - The Reindeer Chronicles
ffinlo Costain meets Judith D Schwartz - the author of Cows Save the Planet, Water in Plain Sight and The Reindeer Chronicles.
Western civilisation has, for generations, sought to extract itself from its dependency on the natural world. Indigenous knowledge has been devalued and lost. And even now, as our monumental folly becomes clearer with each passing day, those who lead us have little real conception of our innate dependency upon an interconnected natural world. Judith D Schwartz has collected evidence of landscape-scale recovery led by visionaries who have reconnected themselves with nature.
ffinlo and Judith discuss what we can learn from reindeer, green colonialism, prey and predator cultures, donkeys in Western Australia, natural capital and economic growth, and the transformation of the Loess Plateaux.
Find Judith at https://www.judithdschwartz.com/ and on X
Buy Judith's book, The Reindeer Chronicles, here.
Wheat from the Chaff - Sycamores, Ecocide, the SDP and special guest: Heather Wildman
Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) discuss the week's news - and are joined by special guest, farm business and succession adviser, Heather Wildman.
News stories Phil and ffinlo discuss:
Scottish Forestry rejects findings of Royal Society of Edinburgh tree report
Non-native Sycamore is third most common British tree
European Parliament votes to criminalise ecosystem destruction
Government policy “inconsistent” and failing to deliver on farm antibiotic use
Food and farming policies “fettered by neoliberal economics” says SDP
And,
NFFN Cymru unveils five-point plan for Welsh Government
Special guest Heather Wildman is from Saviour Associates - visit her website
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/
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''
Wheat from the chaff: Liver fluke, Labour ahead in the countryside, and special guest, Niels Corfield
Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) are joined by regenerative farming expert, Niels Corfield.
Stories discussed:
Fluke control & prevention, beyond testing & treatment
River Action taking government to court over River Wye pollution
First Milk announces acquisition of BV Dairy
Cost of living crisis causing loneliness epidemic for young people
New housing developments to deliver a boost for nature in landmark move
Labour pulls ahead in crucial battle for the countryside vote
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/
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.
Wheat from the Chaff - Euro protests, high tech hedgerows and special guest, Rhys Evans, from NFFN Wales
ffinlo and Phil talk through the week's land use news and are joined by special guest, Rhys Evans, from the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Wales.
News stories discussed:
High-tech aerial mapping reveals England’s hedgerow landscape
Economists calculate multi-trillion dollar opportunity to fix global food system
UK-Canada trade talks halted over safeguarding British food standards
“Deep concerns about biosecurity” at new GB border
Soil Association pushes back against criticism of organic salmon
Wheat from the Chaff - With special guest, Stephen Alexander, NFFN Northern Ireland
Regular hosts Phil Carson and ffinlo Costain are joined by Stephen Alexander from the Nature Friendly Farming Network in Norther Ireland.
News we discuss:
NFU and AHDB to commission independent review of farm assurance
Scottish Government publishes long-awaited Good Food Nation plans
Supermarkets accused of “acting like a cartel”
Farmers aim to save Long Compton Abattoir from closure
Northern Ireland: Four-point plan to back nature-friendly farming
NI faces a “public health emergency” unless permanent access to vet medicines is secured
Future Amoc collapse linked to Greenland ice loss could have “profound impacts”
Research says human behavioural crisis at root of ecological breakdown
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.
8.9 Newsweek: Focus on regenerative cattle breeding
Breed is critical to any livestock operation and an active breeding programme helps farmers to develop their herd around particular beneficial traits.
In the run up to the British Cattle Breeders Club conference this January, we've been taking an in-depth look at how the traits and characteristics needed for regenerative farming differ from mainstream cattle production.
We'll hear from three farmers with active on-farm breeding programmes - Sophie Wilson from Starveall Dairy - Silas Hedley Lawrence from FAI Farms - and Phyllis van Amburgh from Dharma Lea in the USA. We also hear from Rob Havard, who runs the breeding farm, Phepson Angus.
From 8point9.com
Wheat From the Chaff - With special guest: Rob Havard, Phepson Angus
This week Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) are joined by Rob Havard from Phepson Angus.
Links to news stories discussed:
Up to £25,000 for farmers affected by flooding
Nuffield report investigates carbon farming and soil carbon markets
A whole-sector approach needed to create resilience in UK dairy sector
Over half of adults want UK farmers to prioritise nature-friendly farming
***
8.9 TV: Regenerative beef breeding: Rob Havard, Phepson Angus
***
Flexible approaches needed to bring new entrants into small farming businesses
New Toolkit will empower farmers to assess nature market opportunities
Wheat from the Chaff - With 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
Farm Gate: How to wear Bullock 374
In Field, Fork, Fashion, Alice V Robinson takes readers on a journey into the afterlife of Bullock 374, to help people understand the origin story of leather and its intrinsic connection to food and farming.
ffinlo Costain is joined by Alice V Robinson - and by Sara Grady - who, with Alice, recently established British Pasture Leather, which sources and processes cattle hides from Pasture for Life farms for the UK fashion industry.
You can buy Field, Fork, Fashion here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781645021193
And visit British Pasture Leather here: https://britishpastureleather.com/
Wheat from the Chaff: Tree equity, Commoning and Nature as infrastructure
ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week’s land use news.
Tree equity map shows less affluent areas have lower tree cover
Commoning and pastoralism central to Dartmoor land management
British Sugar fails to deliver on 3 year plan to end use of banned neonicotinoids
OF&G white paper highlights benefits of 10% organic English farmed area
Patrick Holden, COP28, Reflections from the inside
AIIB proposes defining nature as infrastructure
Final consultation opens for Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme
Grass measuring reduces input costs by £20,000 for Welsh Dairy farmer
Sheep farmer trials peas and beans as soya alternative
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.
Wheat from the Chaff: Parliamentary push back against regen, UK obesity & Migration
ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's land use news.
Clash of world views:
Parliamentary push back against regen farming based on “outdated world view”
Green Alliance: Failure to support farmers to cut carbon could cost £100 billion by 2050
Cost of poor food policy:
Annual cost of UK obesity soars to £98 billion
Cost of living crisis results in lowest vegetable purchases for 50 years
COP28:
The Elders’ calls to action for COP28
Exploring the benefits of shade and shelter
Andrew Mahon, Bromborough Estate Company, Agroforestry
UK food basket at risk from extreme weather
Policy:
Welsh farming and environment groups call for rural budget to be maintained
Wheat from the Chaff: COP28, Greenwash & Insects as livestock
Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew over the week’s news.
News picks from our discussion:
Upland farms worse off under current ELMs offer
Farmers treating insects as “livestock” in trial to fight pests
More research and innovation needed to make insect farming a success
Virgin flies world’s first transatlantic “100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel flight”
Cargill’s commitment to ending deforestation in South America is an “important but incomplete step”
King Charles calls for investment in regenerative agriculture at opening of COP28
Nicole Pita, IPES Food, Cities lead on real food and climate action
Food loss and waste represent half of GHG emissions from food systems
African food system leaders say, “Put people, nature and livelihoods at forefront of climate action”
Three steps towards real action on food at COP28
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).
Wheat from the Chaff: Adaptation, Sitka & Buried EA report
Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew over the week’s news.
SHORT PICKS
Adapting to climate change needs our "urgent, unswerving attention" says National Trust
Cities and regions lead the way on real food and climate action
Forestry leaders must improve public perception of Sitka
LONGER CONVERSATIONS
Buried Environment Agency report shows toxic sludge is being spread on UK farmland
Landmark ruling has far-reaching implications for UK’s polluted rivers
Conflict over land will increase unless global demand is reduced
Scientific censorship is often self-inflicted and it’s on the rise
POLICY
Efra Committee criticises incoherent approach to food policy across government
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
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
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
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/
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
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/
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.
Wheat from the Chaff 2 - From 8.9 & NFFN
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.
SHOW LINKS - PHIL'S PICKS:
Strength in diversity – mapping healthy microbiome relationships
M&S Food donates one million meals in new partnership with FareShare
Transformational impact of Farms for City Children highlighted by Harper Adams research
FFINLO'S PICKS:
Nuffield report calls for increased support for Black and People of Colour in agricultur
Red Tractor says “sorry” and puts Greener Farms Commitment on hold
Green walls flourish at Dutch Design Week
MAIN CONVERSATIONS:
Petition calls for the proposed EU Soil Health Law to be supported, but tightened
The Guardian questions motives of Dublin Declaration authors
Demand for sustainable fabrics could exceed supply by 130m tonnes by 2030
FURTHER LISTENING:
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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
Farm Gate: Torpenhow's total transformation
They were also the hosts of this summer's Down To Earth regen farming conference in the north of England, put on by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.
ffinlo Costain is joined by Jenny and Mark Lee from Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy, who tell him about what they've achieved and why they've made the transition.
Online: torpenhoworganic.co.uk/
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/torpenhow.cheese.co/
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/torpenhoworganic
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Saying NO to a farm-free future
ffinlo Costain talks to Chris Smaje about his new book, Saying NO to a farm-free future.
Smaje's response to George Monbiot's Regenesis is a well-mannered treatise that outlines coolly and specifically why the Guardian columnist's prescription for the food system is just completely wrong.
Smaje, an academic, farmer and author of A Small Farm Future, is one of the few voices to publicly challenge Monbiot on the future of food and farming (and the restoration of nature).
Responding to Monbiot’s portrayal of an urban, high-energy, industrially manufactured food future as the answer to our current crises, and its unchallenged acceptance within the environmental discourse, Smaje was compelled to challenge Monbiot’s evidence and conclusions. At the same time, Smaje presents his powerful counterargument – a low-carbon agrarian localism that puts power in the hands of local communities, not high-tech corporates.
Saying NO to a farm-free future is a defence of agroecological, small-scale farming and a robust critique of an industrialized future, and is released in the UK on the 28th of June.
Farm Gate is now part of the 8point9.com news channel.
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.