09/07/2025 Bee virus, lobsters, water abstraction.

Chronic bee paralysis has been in bee populations for thousands of years, but cases are rising in the UK and it’s estimated up to two percent are affected. The disease is not notifiable, so doesn’t have to be reported, and bees can have the virus and not show symptoms, so it’s prevalence is difficult to ascertain. We speak to Professor Giles Budge who's working on the disease at Newcastle University.

As part of our week-long look at shellfish we visit Bridlington in East Yorkshire the largest lobster port in Europe, There are no quotas for catching crab and lobster and most of it is exported.

After concerns about the rising number of abstraction licences, we speak to a water management expert who advises farmers in on the driest parts of the country.

Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney