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Episode details

Radio 4,14 Apr 2026,14 mins

14/04/2026 Plastic costs, carbon tax, National Parks

Farming Today

Available for 28 days

Prices are starting to increase for the plastic wrap and twine that farmers will need to store grass silage feed through the year. Plastic is made using fossil fuel, which is increasing in price as a result of the war in Iran. We speak to Jack Cordery of Mole Valley Farmers who says supplies are already starting to tighten. With prices for fertiliser also rising because of the war, there are fears that a new carbon tax coming in in January could make things worse for farmers importing it. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - or CBAM - will add import tax to products manufactured with less strict emissions regulations than we have in the UK. Jo Gilbertson of the Agricultural Industries Confederation says producers or importers who use lower emission fertiliser will not be penalised as much. All this week we're celebrating the UK's National Parks. Today we're in Dartmoor in Devon which has a wealth of treasures under the ground, with archaeological remains of international significance. Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Sally Challoner.

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