05/07/21 Banning caged animal farming; farmland birds.

The European Union has pledged to phase out cages for agricultural animals and birds after a long-running campaign and petition signed by 1.4 million people. The new laws are due to come into force by 2027 and EU farmers will be helped by grants to move to new systems. The government here is currently ‘examining the evidence’ around the issue - so where will this leave the UK’s claim to have the highest animal welfare standards?

It's a mixed picture for the fortunes of farmland birds. Some are thriving, helped by agri-environment schemes, but the Briitish Trust for Ornithology says we need many more of them to help bolster the species that are struggling.

Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney