Sp Ms Us Cl Pa$ Discussion Threads

[dave37] 04/12/2003 19:20

well, that news disappeared fast.........

how much are spuds now?

[m.t.glass] 17/11/2003 10:47

2003 Potato conspiracy.

- has disease outbreak been deliberately introduced to help the pro-GM lobby?


Bush & co have been eager to pressure the UK into accepting GM technology, but are on record as having held back for a few months while Blair was trying to deliver public support for the US war on Iraq. But Bush is meeting Blair this week.

Last week, government inspectors suddenly discovered the dreaded Ring Rot fungus on a well-managed farm near Brecon. Potentially devastating for the whole UK potato industry. Even if it is successfully contained, it will have aroused major concerns throught Britain and Ireland.

"This is totally new territory for us," said Peredur Hughes, NFU Cymru president."Ring rot is the foot-and-mouth of the potato world, it's that infectious. Everything must be destroyed or disinfected - the potatoes, barrels, boxes, sacks, and all machinery used in planting, cultivating and harvesting."

"Mr Morgan is devastated. He is a seed potato grower of international repute. He is distraught for the industry as a whole."



Coincidentally we have seen articles in recent weeks/months proclaiming the advantages of GM potatoes, resistant to various forms of potato disease or infestation. India is apparently persuaded to accept them despite concerns.

Despite Tony Blair and Lord Sainsbury doing their best to deliver UK consumers into the arms of the US on this issue, the British public remain largely and vociferously opposed to the enforced introduction of GM foods.

What the supporters of GM technology needed was a scare story. An outbreak of something nasty that occurred just in time for a Blair/Bush meeting in which many are pressing for relaxation of onerous American trade restrictions, in exchange for which Blair will perhaps "reluctantly" make some concession in favour of GM technology, and being able to say "Why - only this month - we saw a potentially devastating outbreak of the dreaded Ring Rot fungus in mid-Wales... maybe GM technology could help here".

(As far as I know, there is as yet no GM design specifically resistant to this particular disease - but the public won't necessarily be told that)

Of course, any conspiracy theorist suggesting that Ring Rot was deliberately introduced at this particular time in UK history to help whip up support for GM crops will be accused of watching too many episodes of 'The X-Files'....

It's never occurred here before. The timing of its arrival could be just coincidence.

But if Blair so much as mentions potatoes....

[dave37] 13/11/2003 13:28

ring rot is here, the potato equivalent of foot and mouth......

spuds are going up in price, could be a national disaster..............



who will benefit?

[saint or sinner?] 13/5/2002 20:16

ZEN,
You're description sounds like a Billam board meeting with all the Directors and other leeches of shareholders funds present!

0 ;-D

Saint

[flackwell vialli] 13/5/2002 20:12

Re:Thread Title

Who says that the Spurs season is interesting PRE-Xmas.

Not me !

[thegreatgeraldo] 13/5/2002 18:16

Some people are never happy , are they ?? What more could you ask for ? :-))

[saint or sinner?] 13/5/2002 08:55

Excellent idea! Same for Chelsea too?

0 ;-D

Saint