Agribusiness is the real culprit

The National Farmers’ Union is gunning for smallholders and crofters again, describing them as “hobby farmers” who should have to undergo tough licensing and inspection regimes.

In an article in today’s Times, NFU president Peter Kendall blamed “hobby farmers” for the second wave of last year’s foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey, and warned they were the backdoor for new disease outbreaks.

The Times quoted Mr Kendall as saying “We have to ask, should hobby farmers be allowed to jeopardise the professional industry? In these days of bluetongue, foot-and-mouth disease, avian flu and increased disease threats from climate change, should these keepers not need a licence, or some form of competence, to look after farm animals?”

Fruit scones

We’ve been working hard for the past few days so there has been little time to make any of our more sophisticated treats, opening the way for the humble scone to keep us going when we stop for afternoon tea.

I tend to make this particular recipe as a fruit scone using mixed dried fruit, but it’s a flexible recipe so you can substitute 6oz of whatever fruit or nut combination you prefer.

Who’s damaging the environment more?

At lunchtime, the Other Half and I were listening to BBC Radio 2 when Environment Minister Phil Woolas’s comment that drinking bottled water was morally indefensible was being discussed.

Now I do have a problem with the current fashion for paying ludicrous amounts of money for purportedly special waters bottled in plastic and transported here, there and everywhere.

But I did find it irritating to have a minister hectoring the public about their predilection for bottled water given the Government’s track record on reducing consumption, reducing waste, increasing recycling and protecting the environment.