The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Could the market for carbon credits encourage farmers to change the way they manage their land to sequester more carbon? We hear from one Leicestershire farmer who has just started selling credits after taking measurements of soil organic matter.

COP 27 is underway in Egypt, and ahead of the conference, agricultural policy makers from all around the world met to agree actions that could be taken to make farming and food systems more sustainable. This ministerial gathering discussed the impact of global food security in the light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the severe droughts experienced across Europe, China and North America.

And we visit a robotic milking parlour which is mostly powered by an on-farm wind turbine.

Presented by Anna Hill

Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

All poultry and captive birds in England must be kept indoors to help protect them from avian flu - but for some poultry keepers, that’s easier said than done. We hear from a listener who is stuck between conflicting planning rules and biosecurity recommendations.

COP 27 has kicked off in Egypt with a focus on farming. We hear how on-farm energy production could be part of the solution for UK farms looking to reduce their carbon footprint as well as their electricity bills.

Presented by Caz Graham

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

As avian flu forces poultry in England into lockdown, Scottish farmers say their flocks too should be coming inside.

We hear calls for a better compensation scheme for farms hit with bird flu.

All week we've been focusing on rural housing: where we build, what we build and the challenges for people who want to work and live in the countryside.

Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Government says it's £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme is delivering more affordable, quality homes for communities - but is the money reaching rural areas? 189,000 affordable homes have been delivered by the programme since 2015, but a report from the National Audit Office from the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities 'is at high risk of not meeting a sub-target for rural homes'. We hear from a planning expert who says change is needed.

In many places, the rise in the number of houses used as holiday lets or holiday homes can be a real problem for local people looking for somewhere to live. In West Wales, the difficulties young people are having getting on the property ladder or finding a place to rent are also having a knock on effect on farmers, who are struggling with recruiting staff.

And could regenerative agriculture reduce the carbon footprint of farming, as well as making it more profitable? We visit a regenerative farm on the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border where Jake Freestone says his approach has also lead to increased biodiversity.

Presented by Charlotte Smith

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

As avian flu forces birds in England into lockdown, Scottish farmers say their flocks too should be coming inside. We hear why Scotland's Chief Vet disagrees.

Some of the world's biggest food companies have signed up to an action plan to move their businesses and suppliers to regenerative farming.

All week we're talking about rural housing, or lack of it. In one rural county, Wiltshire, the council is currently dealing with around 360 assessments a month from people who're worried about losing their homes. The Doorway project in the market town of Chippenham helps homeless people, often sleeping rough in the countryside.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Could gene editing of farmed birds be the solution to bird flu?

A scientist explains how it works and an environmentalist explains why he thinks it isn’t the answer.

And how short term holiday lets are making life difficult for rural people to afford to live in the countryside.

Presenter: Anna Hill

Producer: Alun Beach

Editor: Dimitri Houtart

The Government is to order all farmed birds in England - including those kept in back yards – to be confined indoors to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Green campaigners demand to know why the Government has missed the deadline of the 31st of October to publish its ‘nature recovery’ targets.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme, and WWF, are calling for more action to prevent food waste on farms.

And how difficult is it to find housing in the remotest parts of Scotland?

Presenter: Anna Hill

Producer: Alun Beach

Editor: Dimitri Houtart

If the Government doesn't improve the compensation scheme available to farms hit by avian flu, more will go out of business. The stark warning comes from one of England's leading turkey producers as the UK is in the midst of the worst ever outbreak, with 200 confirmed incidents and hundreds of thousands of farmed birds culled. It's also having what the RSPB has called a 'catastrophic' effect on wild birds. Paul Kelly of Kelly Bronze Turkeys says the way the compensation system works isn't fair and is putting smaller producers out of business.

Where we build, what we build and the challenges for people who want to work and live in the countryside: we are going to be looking at this all week, from homelessness to affordable homes.

One of Britain’s oldest and rarest cattle breeds, the Gloucester, is at the forefront of a push for more kitchens to serve traditional breed beef. But when budgets are being squeezed, is now the right time to promote such a premium product?

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

What is at the top of the agenda for the new environment secretary Therese Coffey? She says ELMS – the Environment, Land Management schemes - are safe.

Fishing crews give their thoughts on the mass die-off of shellfish on the North East coast, and should the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme do more to prevent pollution from farms.

Faster government compensation is promised for farmers hit by bird flu, growing nuts and seeds for profit, and cultivating pumpkins for Hallowee'n, is a bit of a treat for farmers.

Presenter: Charlotte Smith

Producer: Alun Beach

Editor: Dimitri Houtart