12/02/24 Biodiversity Net Gain not ambitious enough, says Wildlife Trusts; the business of farming; Ashdown Forest

Today Biodiversity Net Gain becomes the law in England. It means that any developer building ten or more homes must not just replace the biodiversity they've destroyed, but have to show a 10% net gain over what was there before. The net gain can be on the housing estate, or builders can buy a biodiversity unit from a landowner. If that's not possible they can get a (more expensive) biodiversity credit from the Government, which will then invest in habitat projects across the nation.

Wherever it is, it must be managed for nature for 30 years. But the wildlife trusts say the BNG ambition is too low, and there should be a 20% net gain for nature. Farming is going through a tough time; prices, the supermarkets, massive changes in public subsidy systems, endless rain, or drought. The word many use a lot is 'challenging' and this week we're going to look at the challenge of running a farming business. We start with an overview from Martin Hanson, Head of Agriculture at HSBC UK. A rescue plan for nature is being drawn up in The Ashdown Forest in Sussex. The project could see rare plants and animals including nightingales, turtle doves, pine martens and beavers being restored to the landscape. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.