Sean's Wild Life

After a long time talking about it, I pay a visit to Ben Andrews' organic farm in rural Herefordshire to get the scoop on organic Vs conventional agriculture, countryside stewardship especially farmers' roles and how we can produce food in a nature friendly way that isn't as harmful to the climate and environment. We also get into a meaty discussion about veganism and food trends, dissect the gluten intolerance myth, explore agroecology and regenerative agriculture, and lots more besides. We're out in a windy field at the start, so there's a little crackling on the audio, but bear with it. We get into the shelter of Ben's buggy soon enough for a tour of the farm and the sound quality gets much better. Ben's intrepid pups Barney and Percy interrupt proceedings once or twice too. Come along for the tour, it's almost like you're down on the farm with Farmer Ben and I in real life! Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-lifeor at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife.Cover photo credit: Ben Andrews.

A fascinating, hilarious and inspiring conversation with Derek Gow, an ecologist, reintroduction specialist, farmer and author of 'Bringing Back the Beaver'. Derek is well known for speaking out on the frustrations of our current systems and organisations in place to protect our natural landscapes and biodiversity. Or should that be to regulate our natural landscapes and attempts to restore biodiversity? In this episode he packs no punches in critiquing the bureaucracy and inertia of our conservation organisations. He suggests that perhaps we need to be bolder and get cracking right now on restoring nature on a larger scale and restore lost species as a matter of urgency.We discuss the psychology of humankind in historically conquering nature, obliterating species deemed harmful or indeed valuable to us, and reshaping the landscape in ways that have been immensely harmful to the natural world. We also explore Derek's varied career in farming, into global wildlife conservation, back to British wildlife conservation and most recently his pioneering role within the UK rewilding movement. Specifically his work from his Devon farm and collaborating with several other organisations in reintroducing threatened or extinct species, from water voles and harvest mice to beavers and white storks. If you're offended by crude language and straight talk, be warned. Personally I found Derek's refreshingly honest and bold approach truly inspiring. It's a compelling and humorous chat from a non-traditional nature conservationist not afraid to take risks or rock the boat! Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-lifeor at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife.Cover photo credit: Magzter.

I sat down to chat about this controversial and often emotive topic with the President of the British Veterinary Association, James Russell and CEO of the Badger Trust, Dominic Dyer. We explored the issues surrounding the eradication of bovine TB, a disease of cattle which also affects wildlife species, most notably the badger. And we tackle the logic, pros and cons of the government's badger cull strategy as part of the plan to eradicate this disease. It's illuminating and at times a little heated, but Dominic and James do a sterling job of setting out the issues, respectfully debating the finer points and making a very complex topic more clear. As we all agree at the end, it's vital to talk and come together from both sides of the debate. The all too common 'them Vs us' attitude that often crops up where difficult conservation or animal welfare issues arise can do more harm than good. I'm very grateful to have had them both on as guests, coming together to bring clarity and explore the middle ground in such a divisive topic.Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-life or at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife. Cover photo by Billy Heaney.