大象传媒

The future for fruit and veg growers is bleak, according to a report out today. It comes from the House of Lords Horticulture Committee and calls on the Government to 'safeguard the sector.' The report warns that British growers are being squeezed out by cheaper imports and that horticulture, which is worth 拢5 billion a year to the British economy, is underappreciated by policymakers. Its recommendations include reviving the Government's horticulture strategy for England and more urgently reviewing fairness in the supply chain.

This week we're looking at the impact of avian influenza or bird flu as it's more commonly known. It continues to spread across the world, killing both wild birds and farmed poultry. It's been reported in more than 80 countries now. Here the RSPB says 77 wild bird species have been affected and tens of thousands of birds have died.
For farmers too it has been devastating, with whole flocks of birds dying or being culled. But so far this winter there have been fewer outbreaks and housing orders, where all poultry has to be kept inside, haven't been introduced. That doesn't mean everyone can relax; Victoria Elwess runs a free range unit in Lincolnshire. Her plans to expand have been put on hold because of rising costs and fears around bird flu.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.