Badgers, nordic walking and the armchair farmers' market

A big blow for the food and farming industry in Wales with two hundred jobs in the balance Visit the new farmers' market without leaving home and we try out nordic walking - the world's fastest growing fitness activity

Last updated: 17 January 2010

Country Focus - Sunday 17th January at 07.30am presented by Melanie Doel

All eyes on West Wales as it's selected as the pilot area for a massive badger cull - officials say they intend to reduce the badger population "as far as they can" during limited culls over five years as part of the Welsh Assembly Government's TB Eradication Programme.

There's been more bad news for the farming and food industries in Wales this week as Welsh Country Foods announced that more than two hundred jobs could go at their plant in Gaerwen, Anglesey. The company, which employs 444 staff at Gaerwen, is blaming a drop in demand for lamb for the restructuring plans. We get reaction from the farming unions.

We hear how you can stroll around a farmer's market and meet the producers from the comfort of your own home as the first ever 3D Virtual Farmers Market online opens.

We visit the eco village in Pembrokeshire that has overcome some of the opposition in recent years to the ecological housing movement and received a Government grant of three hundred and fifty thousand pounds for a complex of smallholding properties near Crymmych.

Help is at hand for those struggling with the weather - the RSPCA and the NFU have joined forces to help farmers and their animals caught in the snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures - they've launched a new Farm Animal Welfare Hotline. The number is 0300 123 8424

And finally - it's traditionally the time of year when we all resolve to get fit but the weather might have put a stop to some of our plans to get out jogging or even just for a decent walk! But we discover the merits of a Scandinavian walking craze which is gaining in popularity in Wales - Nordic Walking. Our reporter Debbie James tries it out in the snow, in the Preseli hills.