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EAR TO THE GROUND

Ear to the Ground presenters, series 26, Ella McSweeney, Helen Carroll(centre) and Darragh McCullough Image Name: Ear to the Ground presenters, series 26, Ella McSweeney, Helen Carroll(centre) and Darragh McCullough
Ear to the Ground presenter Helen Carroll, series 26, programme 8 Image Name: Ear to the Ground presenter Helen Carroll, series 26, programme 8
Ear to the Ground (new series 26) Presenters Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney and Darragh McCullough) Image Name: Ear to the Ground (new series 26) Presenters Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney and Darragh McCullough)
Ear to the Ground(New seies 26). Presenter Darragh McCullough Image Name: Ear to the Ground(New seies 26). Presenter Darragh McCullough
Ear to the Ground (New series 26). Presenter Ella McSweeney Image Name: Ear to the Ground (New series 26). Presenter Ella McSweeney

NITRITE FREE BACON? 
Over the last few years, health concerns have been raised about the use of Nitrites as a food additive. Nitrites are widely used in the food industry as a preservative for cured meats like bacon and ham.

In 2015, The World Health Organisation published research that linked nitrites and processed meat consumption to colon cancer. Renowned food scientist Dr Chris Elliott believes they should be banned from food processing.  But, is there an alternative?

Darragh McCullough visits Finnebrogue Artisan Foods in Downpatrick, Co Down, where they have successfully replaced nitrites with natural alternatives to produce nitrite free meat.

TB OR NOT TB?
Seventy years after the TB eradication scheme was introduced, this costly disease still strikes fear into every cattle farmer in the country.  Every year, every bovine must be tested for the disease. If the animal reacts to the test, it must be removed from the herd and the farm is locked up, meaning no animals can leave the farm until the next test is clear. It is costly, as the farmer must be compensated, but the disruption is more than just the loss of the animal.

Helen Carroll travels with Offaly based vet Donal Lynch as he visits farms to carry out TB testing, and also to deliver results to farmers who depend on an all clear result in order to allow them to continue farming without restrictions. One of those farmers is Noel Keyes from Killina who is waiting for test results, and is anxious about what they may hold. Will it be clear? Or will a breakdown hit the farm business for the next few months?

BACK TO BASICS
Lowe and Co is a small shop in Athlone, Co.Westmeath which is reviving an old style of retailing, and bucking the trend towards chain stores and out of town malls.  Lynda McFarland and Eddie Lowe returned from the UK to set up an artisan grocery store, and sell locally sourced products without the ubiquitous plastic packaging. It is a formula that has charmed local shoppers hankering after an old style food shop.  Ella McSweeney visits the shop, and also some of its suppliers who are renewing a tradition in the midlands.

Media Queries:

TVPR
Ann Coughlan 00 353 87 6778045
Pauline Cronin 00 353 87 2629967