So the horsemeat story is calming down but behind it all is the state of farming in this country, and the state of this countrys wildlife. Will it get better, not so sure, and yes europe is involved in this but not as the bad man.
Is there a link, of course. It all comes down to money and influence. Supermarkets put pressure on suppliers who put pressure on suppliers who.... it goes on. British farmers lose out because people are scared they dont know what they bought recently yet alone years ago which might turn out to be the case, and who really knows where any of it came from other than a horse.
So where is the europe link then, well amid all the words we hear about europe being a waste of money it has without a doubt done massive amounts for wildlife in this country and across the member countries, the protection afforded by the birds and habitats legislation for starters is immense, then there is the agricultural policy.
The birds and habitats legislation protects wildlife it protects habitats and it stops development that does not take account of wildlife. Guess what there is a campaign of words against this notably from well heeled folk and not from the govt of course (unless I missed it) they get others to start the rumours then listen, try putting great crested newt or bat together with stop development in a search engine.
The common agricultural policy, yes it has supported farmers to farm to excess but it has importantly helped protect farm wildlife. Nice story yesterday of the agriculture minister going to a farm to see how environmental stewardship is helping farmland birds and if it helps them it helps other forms of wildlife, shame then that at the recent budget meeting, one thing that we supported was a reduction in funding for wildlife initiatives that are part of the agriculture policy.
Note to self; I must stop ranting.
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