Farming Today - 23/08/2010

When chancellor George Osborne opens his bedroom curtains this morning, he may well be greeted with banners carried by angry members of the RSPB. Cath Mackie hears the wildlife charity will picket the chancellor's constituency in protest at planned government cuts. It fears that when the axe falls the environment will suffer, and some farmland birds could face extinction. The government spends £609 million a year on flood and coastal risk management. Despite this, Farming Today hears that 30% of England's coastline is eroding, making farming on the fragile East coast difficult. The Country Land and Business Association suggest new wind farms and housing developments could raise money for sea defences to protect agricultural land. Presented by Cath Mackie, produced by Melvin Rickarby.