UK FARMING minister David Miliband recently caused a stir when commented that purchases of organic food was merely a lifestyle decision.
Conventionally-produced food, he said, was just as good.
His comments were backed up by a professor of scientific institute with a broad American accent who claimed to be independent, but probably forgot to mention that his whole salary and livelihood were paid for by a chemical company.
During my farming career I became evermore sceptical and suspicious of agri-chemicals in general. I’ve also despaired over comments by politicians and professors who criticised organically produced food.
Hence, I’ve drawn up a list of my pet hates produced by the agri-chemical industry over the past decade or so.
1. Round-up
THAT ever-so-safe chemical which kills couch grass and everything else as well.
This achieves first place because it is so widely used and its marketing blurb does not mention that it leaves the ground looking like a lunar landscape having killed all the earthworms and bacteria as well.
2. Tiguvon
THIS chemical has long since disappeared from the marketplace, but in its time was used as a means of ridding warble fly from cattle in the name of producing better quality hides when the cattle were slaughtered.
This wonderful chemical probably produced the only case of BSE I ever saw.
Long before the government got so worked up about BSE, I had a young Hereford cross heifer that went berserk on an April afternoon because she had probably been double dosed with Tiguvon.
3. Sheep dip
NO SURPRISES here. Every farmer knows about the problems of organo-phosphate dips.
Very effective against maggots in the sheep, but also tries to kill the farmer as well, particularly if dipping takes place inside a building.
A familiar smell of dip is also present at annual sheep sales, so you are well advised to stay outside any tents.
4. Lindane
AN arable spray which again has long since been withdrawn. Its placing is justified by one incident which happened to me.
A pipe burst on the sprayer, spewing the contents into the tractor cab: A rapid U-turn direct back to the farm house, chucked my clothes and spent the next two hours in a nice warm bath.
5. Heptavac-P
A CHANGE from OP chemicals, but for me this sheep vaccine was a disaster.
Perhaps I could have been a better shepherd, but there is nothing worse than picking up dead ewes in that short period prior to lambing.
The problem is that foetal lambs die prematurely in the womb and eventually the infection is enough to kill the whole family.
These are my five pet hates which the agri-chemistry produced my time as a farmer.
Hence, I do not believe ministers, who probably don't even own a pair of wellies, and American academics who claim to be independent.
It would be great if everybody aspired to buying and eating organic food. But there just would not be enough to go round.
