About this episode

The episode discusses the new EU trade agreement, peat restoration efforts in Wales, and the state of upland farming in Scotland.

The government has published fresh guidance for farmers and food businesses to help them prepare for the new sanitary and phytosanitary - or SPS - agreement between the UK and the EU. It's expected to take effect in a year's time. It's supposed to make trade easier, with fewer checks and less paperwork, but there are still many points in the agreement to iron out. Peatlands are one of the most valuable sources of carbon storage and they provide important habitats for wildlife and plants too. Across Wales the National Peatland Action Programme is working to improve these precious sites. In the Cambrian Mountains the project has been so successful that water voles have now populated the area. All week we're assessing the state of upland farming across the UK. In Scotland, 70% of agricultural land is classed as uplands. Most of those farms have sheep, many also have beef cattle and forestry is also a big part of Scottish farming. Agriculture is devolved and the Scottish government has, until now, held onto the direct payments which existed under the pre-Brexit EU system. That's being phased out, and upland farmers are concerned that under the new rules they could lose out. Presenter…

People in this episode

Host: Anna Hill

Topics covered

• EU trade agreement
• peat restoration
• water voles
• Scottish uplands
• upland farming
• agriculture

Keywords

• EU trade agreement
• peatlands
• water voles
• upland farming
• Scottish agriculture
• sanitary and phytosanitary
• carbon storage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UK, EU

Places: Wales, Cambrian Mountains, Scotland, Scottish

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• 04/06/26 High Court rules the Food Standards Agency overcharged abattoirs, hydropower funding, upland farmer groups · June 4, 2026 · 14 min
• 02/06/26 Rural skills gap, upland farming in Wales, Future Countryside. · June 2, 2026 · 14 min

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