what a thread this is!
 

and (before foot and mouth struck the UK) I had been seriously (well - almost seriously) thinking about starting an Equal Rights for Vegetables campaign!

I enjoy food and (like lots of others) have a feeling that moderation is the key to success. I am just as concerned about the quantity of anti-biotics used in meat production as a means of speeding up growth in beef cattle as I am about many other health issues. I believe that there is a lot of farming in the Western hemisphere where that is a standard production technique.

However, I also believe that we all eat because we must and that the diversity of diet consumed is in some way part of the "survival of the fittest" theory which Darwin proposed. We owe it to the countries who are struggling to survive to not waste food, not take our plentiful food production for granted, and to make sure that our actions don't endanger the food supply. Keeping the air clean, not dosing animals/plants with unnecessary chemicals and keeping the land and waterways free of contamination are all part of the process.

Anyhow, I'd better get off the soapbox!

Margaret

ps the UK is still open for business - and, we're all still eating Scottish/British beef and lamb. There are tourists about who are having a great time ....... and they are being really respectful of any restrictions on movement which is nice to see. Hope to see you all over here soon!