26/10/26 Consultation to end painful pig slaughter, pest control, farmers' choir

A consultation on phasing out the use of carbon dioxide in the slaughtering process for pigs is launched today. The vast majority of pigs in the UK are stunned using CO2 but last year the government announced plans to move away from using the gas, following an independent report which said that the practice causes pain, respiratory distress and fear in conscious pigs and should be replaced. The National Pig Association tells us the industry accepts that CO2 is on the way out, but wants a realistic timeline.

This week we're going to tackle rats, mice, moles and more: those animals which when found in the wrong place, like a farm, are pests. It's not a new problem but changing legislation and the changing climate are bringing new challenges, as the British Pest Control Association explains.

We hear from the Farmers' Choir Northern Ireland who've just won a national music award, recognised for 'bringing farmers and rural communities together through music, friendship and mutual support'.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.