Wilson & Ashley

29. Celebrity Farmers and Food Labelling Loopholes

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] We're tackling the controversial British food labelling loophole and ask whether supermarket packaging is confusing consumers — or outright misleading them. With imported food products often displaying Union Jacks, British countryside imagery and phrases like “Packed in Britain” or “Prepared in the UK”, are shoppers being led to believe they’re supporting British farmers when they may not be? We cover: * What the food labelling loophole actually is * Why British flags and branding appear on imported food * The difference between “Packed in Britain”, “Prepared in Britain” and genuinely British produce * Why British farmers are frustrated * Consumer trust in UK food standards and animal welfare * Proposed Conservative reforms to country-of-origin labelling Then we move onto influencers and celebrities buying farms. From viral YouTubers and TikTok stars documenting their countryside moves, to celebrity farming shows like Clarkson’s Farm and Fletchers on the Farm, farming has become a social media lifestyle aspiration. But is that a good thing for agriculture? We discuss: * Why influencers and celebrities are buying farms * Whether social media is glamorising farming * Concerns around animal welfare and misinformation * Farming as a lifestyle brand versus food production * Whether celebrity exposure actually benefits British farming Featuring the below topics: * Clarkson’s Farm * Fletchers on the Farm * Rural influencers and FarmTok culture * British food standards * UK agriculture and countryside life If you care about British farming, food transparency, rural business, livestock, countryside issues and the future of agriculture, this episode is packed with honest conversation and debate. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

28. Foot and Mouth - The Aftermath No One Talks About (Part 2)

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] In Part 2 of our Foot and Mouth series, we move beyond the initial outbreak and into the harsh reality of what it took to bring it under control — and the lasting impact it had far beyond the farm gate. This is the side of the story that is rarely spoken about. We hear from a slaughterman working at the very front line of the response — confronting the scale, intensity, and emotional weight of the job day after day. Alongside this, we explore how the outbreak rippled through the wider rural economy, from farming families outside infected zones to local businesses, communities, and industries brought to a standstill. Foot and Mouth didn’t just affect those who lost livestock — it reshaped entire rural landscapes, both economically and emotionally. Like Part 1, this episode gives space to those who experienced it first-hand, in their own words — because these are stories that deserve to be heard in full. Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, including references to animal culling and suicide. Some listeners may find this distressing. If you’ve been following this series, thank you — and if you haven’t yet, we recommend listening to Part 1 first for the full context. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

27. Foot and Mouth - The Day Everything Changed for British Farmers (Part 1)

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] In this first part of our two-part series, we step back into 2001 — to the beginning of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. An outbreak that would change British farming forever. What started as a single confirmed case quickly escalated into a national crisis. But behind the headlines and statistics were real people, real farms, and real lives being turned upside down. In this episode, we hear directly from those on the front line. A farmer from an affected area shares what it was like to live through the uncertainty, fear, and reality of the disease arriving at the farm gate. We’re also joined by a vet who was working on the ground during the outbreak — an experience so profound it ultimately led him into politics. Together, their stories paint a picture not just of how the disease spread, but of how it felt — the decisions, the pressure, and the moments that have stayed with them ever since. This episode runs in a slightly different format to usual, allowing space for these stories to be told properly — because the human impact of Foot and Mouth was far-reaching, and is still felt today. Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, including references to animal culling and suicide. Some listeners may find this distressing. Thank you to our contributors.  Sources: https://www.woah.org/en/reflections-on-the-foot-and-mouth-disease-epidemic-of-2001-a-united-kingdom-perspective/ [https://www.woah.org/en/reflections-on-the-foot-and-mouth-disease-epidemic-of-2001-a-united-kingdom-perspective/] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12483017 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12483017] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foot-and-mouth-disease [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foot-and-mouth-disease]  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-foot-mouth-disease/ [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-foot-mouth-disease/]  https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/mar/21/footandmouth.angeliquechrisafis [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/mar/21/footandmouth.angeliquechrisafis]  https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7075072.brigadier-tells-chaos-epidemic-fight/ [https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7075072.brigadier-tells-chaos-epidemic-fight/]  https://www.farminguk.com/news/uk-not-prepared-for-foot-and-mouth-outbreak-vets-warn_68307.html [https://www.farminguk.com/news/uk-not-prepared-for-foot-and-mouth-outbreak-vets-warn_68307.html]  Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

Episode 26 From Lambing Sheds to Land Wars. Farming, Rewilding and the actual Reality

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] What really happens when you put rewilding, farming, and real-life rural voices in the same conversation? In this unfiltered and often hilarious episode, we dive deep into one of the most controversial debates in modern agriculture: 👉 Should land be rewilded—or should it feed people? From sleep-deprived lambing nights and muddy farm realities to the growing pressure of government schemes, rising costs, and public opinion, this episode pulls back the curtain on what farming actually looks like in 2026. We unpack: * 🌱 The truth behind the rewilding movement—and why it divides farmers * 🚜 The financial realities of farming (and why ideology doesn’t pay the bills) * 🐑 The impact of predators, policy, and “perfect” environmental narratives * 💸 Subsidies, carbon credits, and whether sustainability is being driven by money or morals * 🌍 Why food security might be closer to crisis than we think * 👩‍🌾 The social side of farming life—from relationships to rural identity Expect strong opinions, candid storytelling, and a no-nonsense look at the balance between nature, food production, and survival. Because behind every headline about rewilding… there are real farmers, real families, and real consequences. 🎧 If you care about food, the countryside, or the future of farming—this one’s for you. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

Episode 25: Britain’s Broken Food System - Food Banks and the Impact of Junk Food

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] In this episode of the Wilson and Ashley Podcast, off the back of a great reel from Schöffel Country and The Country Food Trust, we talk about how game meat is being used to tackle food poverty in the UK.  When you actually look at the numbers, food poverty is hard to ignore - millions of people in the UK are struggling to access enough food, there are now more food banks than McDonald's restaurants, and demand for emergency food is still rising. At the same time, we’ve got a growing deer population, not enough being culled, and huge amounts of nutritious, sustainable meat that could be used far better. When a relatively small number of deer can produce hundreds of thousands of meals, it feels like utilising this meat for those in need is a no brainer.  We also touch on food waste and our own experience trying to get fresh produce into food banks, and how complicated it actually was. It all feeds into a bigger conversation around access to proper, nutritious food to fuel the body and the mind.  In the second half, we talk about declining mental health and why we need to back our farmers as part of the solution. There’s a clear trend showing younger generations are struggling more, and while there’s no single cause, diet keeps coming up as part of the conversation — especially the rise in ultra-processed foods, even in products people think are healthy. It all links back to farming. If we’re producing less real, whole food in this country, what replaces it? And what does that mean not just for food security, but for long-term health? When you join it all up — food banks, malnutrition, game meat, ultra-processed diets and mental health — it keeps coming back to the same point. Good food is vital for the health of people and farmers are uniquely placed to provide it. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.