Farming Today This Week: Pest Control and Herbicides

Are farmers able to strike the balance between protecting their crops from slugs and other pests, whilst also caring for the countryside? David Gregory-Kumar visits a Cotswold farm to discuss the use of controversial chemicals with James Cox who farms near Nailsworth in Gloucestershire.

Whilst some people are concerned about the impact of farm chemicals on water courses, the environment and human health, the NFU argues that farmers use chemicals sparingly and responsibly. We explore this issue in the week that the NFU applies for a government derogation to use neonicotinoids, the pesticide used to coat the seeds of oil seed rape, and which may be linked to declining bee populations.

Produced by Mark Smalley.