25/07/26: Fresh produce checks, hot lettuce, BBC Farmwatch

The UK's fresh produce trade body has written to prime minister Andy Burnham asking him to scrap proposed border checks on fruit, veg, and flowers, which it claims could cost the industry £300 million. The controls are included in the reset of our trading relationship with the European Union, currently under negotiation. The checks for pests and diseases would affect imports to the UK from outside Europe. The chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium tells us around half of the fruit and veg that comes into the UK is from non-EU countries, and consumers are likely to see higher prices if the changes come into effect.

Salad sales have been booming in the hot weather, but the heat presents a big challenge for lettuce growers.

This week sees BBC Farmwatch, which celebrates farm to fork stories around the country on BBC Sounds and BBC Local Radio. We catch up with BBC Farmwatch presenter, and farmer, Harriet Cowan as well as visiting a Somerset farm that makes its own unpasteurised cheddar cheese.

Presenter: Charlotte Smith
Producer: Sarah Swadling