The government has launched a Rural Action Plan, which it says will help grow the rural economy and support people living in remoter communities. The initiatives include improving rural broadband, relaxing planning legislation on developing farm buildings, new strategies for rural transport, a fund for smaller abattoirs and higher penalties for fly tipping. However, some of the ideas are consultation processes, rather than action. Anna Hill asks the rural affairs minister Lord Benyon about the plans.



This week we're discussing gene editing - the technique for breeding crops with specific traits by editing a plant's DNA. In England, legislation has been brought in to enable gene editing in crops, but this has not been introduced in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Scientists and many, but not all, farmers have welcomed the move. Campaigners at GM Freeze say the safeguards surrounding gene edited crops are not strong enough, and unforeseen consequences could arise from their introduction.



Presenter = Anna Hill

Producer = Rebecca Rooney