Latest news with #IslesofScilly
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Farmers 'making a change' to cut carbon emissions
A South West farmer said many in the industry were "embracing the challenge" of working more Smith, who farms on the Isles of Scilly and works with other farmers and growers to reduce their carbon footprint, said "weather patterns are changing", and farmers needed to "both reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate as well".It follows the UK experiencing the warmest spring on record and predictions of a hotter-than-normal summer, with an increased chance for heatwaves. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was investing £5bn into farming, adding its "commitment to farmers and growers remains steadfast." "All the fruit, vegetables and herbs we grow are sold within the islands" said Mr Smith, who has run his organic horticultural business on St Martin's since 2003. Mr Smith added: "We minimise the use of tractors and limit materials such as plastic. We use seaweed, compost and green manures to fertilise the fields."We also plant and maintain trees, hedges and an orchard to help sequester carbon and boost biodiversity."Mr Smith said his business absorbed more carbon than it emitted. Farm Net Zero Andrew Brewer is a part of the Farm Net Zero project, which is working with farms across Cornwall to show the contribution agriculture makes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."We used to buy a lorry load of fertiliser every month but we've not bought any now for five years. We make better use of our slurries and manure from our animals", Mr Brewer said. He added: "We're reducing our carbon footprint significantly". Farming is responsible for around 12% of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UK also has a legally-binding target, under the Climate Change Act, to be net zero by March 2025, concerns were raised by the National Farmers Union (NFU) over the impact of the sudden closure of the government's Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI). The payment scheme was put in place to encourage farmers to carry out environmental work on their land. 'Climate-smart food production' A spokesperson for the NFU said: "The wet weather of the past two years and driest spring for a generation have had noticeable effects on farm assets and productivity, which is why we need to develop a strategic, multifunctional and coherent land use strategy focused on resource-efficient, climate-smart food production. "Everything comes back to sufficient funding."It added: "We need an agricultural budget which allows more farm businesses to take these important measures through the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and a nationwide flooding investment plan, which recognises rural needs, to make the UK more resilient to any extreme weather that comes our way." 'Investing record amounts' A Defra spokesperson said: "Our commitment to farmers and growers remains steadfast."That's why this government is investing £5 billion into farming and has appointed former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to recommend new reforms to boost farmers profits."We are also investing record amounts in flood defences and have helped secure funding for nine new reservoirs."
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Lobster 'releasathon' marks Cornish hatchery's anniversary
A Cornish marine conservation charity has been releasing baby lobsters into the wild to celebrate its 25th National Lobster Hatchery (NLH) was founded in Padstow in August 2000 to help preserve, research and educatedthe public about the European the charity is doing 25 releases in as many days as part of a "releasathon" to celebrate the Johns, senior technician at NLH, told BBC Radio Cornwall it was the "perfect point" in time to release the 300 baby lobsters - each about 10 weeks old and an inch (2.5cm) long. Mr Johns said: "It's at this stage in their life cycle that they become benthic, meaning they settle on the seabed and live in there [for 12 to 18 months]."He said burrowing in the sediment was an important stage in the lobsters' lives as it helped them learn how to live in the releasaton started in St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly, with further releases planned around the county, including one near St Michael's Mount.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Isles of Scilly helicopter passenger service expands fleet
A company which runs a helicopter passenger service between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland is expanding its fleet to meet increased Helicopters runs up to 11 daily flights between the islands and Penzance, taking up to 10 people per crossing. The company said the addition of another helicopter would increase its fleet to three aircraft and allow up to 17 crossings per Page, Penzance Heliport base manager, said passenger numbers had increased by 30% since helicopter operators Starspeed took over running the service in 2022. "The addition of a third aircraft will make a significant investment in the resilience, reliability and extra flights to the islands which is obviously what we need," Mr Page told BBC Radio added: "Initially we'll lease it [the aircraft] for a long-term period with the aim, eventually, to purchase it like we've done with the other two. "The two we're running at the moment ranged between about £15m and £20m." Mr Page said the business had connected with the community and held classes for schools and invited the local Women's Institute group for a tour. "It's an ambition of mine to really connect with our neighbours and the community and we have worked hard as a team to do that over the past three years," he said. Penzance Helicopters expect to receive their new aircraft in August and have it in operation for summer 2026.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Woman rescued from Scillonian ferry after medical episode
A woman has been flown to hospital after she suffered a medical episode on board a ferry between the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. A coastguard helicopter was called in to rescue the woman from the Scillonian at about 10:35 BST and crews were lowered on to the woman was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, the coastguard said.A man who was travelling on board the boat said: "Luckily there was a doctor on board. I was pretty worried about the propellers hitting the mast."
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wildlife experts report weasel spotted on St Mary's
Wildlife experts have asked residents of the Isles of Scilly to look for signs of a weasel after one was reportedly seen on St Mary' Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) said it was "taking this report seriously" because of "the delicate balance of nature on Scilly".A detection dog was deployed to some of the islands in February to check for signs of rats and mice as they can pose a threat to the populations of storm IOSWT said the weasel had reportedly been seen at the Garrison on Friday and they asked islanders to "keep a close look out" and share any sightings with the team. 'Need to be vigilant' The charity said: "Many species such as our breeding seabirds can only thrive in the absence of mammalian predators."Biosecurity is a high priority for the Isles of Scilly."This report is a sharp reminder that we need to be vigilant that we don't bring non-native species or plant or animal diseases to Scilly."The charity said it would set trail cameras in the area in an attempt to get photographic confirmation of the advised islanders: "If you do spot what you think could be a weasel, see if you can see its relatively short and very furry tail. If at all possible, please get a photo."
