How should we proceed?

[Johnboy]

I have never looked it in this light before but the ratio of 1:1000,000,000.(American Billion) is the equivalent in time of 1 second in 37.71 years (to two decimal points for the pedantic and nit pickers) so put into this context it gives you some idea how small it is.
When you consider that chemical residues are calculated in this way for the Public Statistics Records and certain organizations that maintain our conventional food is absolutely bathed in pesticide a have been known to try and cause panic especially in young mothers especially when the figures quoted are generally well within safe tolerances set by the Pesticides Agency, which is composed of teams of scientists.
Strangely these organizations, although not scientists, seem to know far more than the Scientists whose responsibility it is to set the safe limits.
With Integrated Pest Management Schemes set up by the Supermarkets to standards set by the Pesticides Agency must be adhered to by producers and spraying late by even one day can cause a whole crop to be rejected by the Supermarket. BUT this only occurs in crops produced within the United Kingdom and considering the amount of our food that is imported, both Conventional as well as Organic are produced elsewhere you begin to wonder how safe our food actually is. The majority of food that is tested by Pesticides Agency that doesn’t actually exceed the safety limit but has a higher count of Pesticides is not home produce but imported.
Regrettably Organic methods will simply neither produce the quantity or the quality of food for our needs so by growing our your vegetables obviously is the very best way to proceed BUT (and there is always a but) the vast majority of the population have neither the means or the inclination to grow their own produce and rely heavily on the Supermarkets.
I am a firm believer of only eating vegetables in season and regard anything out of season as exotic but sadly the Great British Public seem to think that it is their right to have food flown half way round the world, of course aided and abetted by the Supermarkets. What is so wrong is for Supermarkets to sell imported produce when it is in season here .This morning I noticed that the Swedes in the local Supermarket are imported from Chile and the Leeks from Spain when they could be grown locally and are certainly could be available right now but the growers will not grow them because of the price the Supermarkets will pay for them. I simply do not know how best we should proceed safely.
So what is the best way to proceed? Do you think we need legislation to force the Supermarkets to source locally? Should there be an embargo on importation from outside Europe of produce available here in season? Why should the producers of fruit in this country stand by and watch Apples being imported and theirs not even worth picking.
What do you think?

[Allan]

Very thought provoking, John. It echoes most of my sentiments. However, aided by the Media, the GBP (Great British Public) have got it into their little heads that the Supermarkets are the ultimate in food standards, or at least ought to be, and that you can buy anything in perfect condition, Organic, at any time of the year.
We have had considerable success locally in sourcing local grown sprouts and calabrese of the highest quality from Hereford Butter Market stalls. Pengethley Farm Shop is doing what it can to source locally and we are trying hard to support them but what impact can we make on such a potentially large market for "Real Food"? Box schemes have collapsed all round, Farmers Markets are struggling, with Hereford Council charging more for stalls than one can possibly pack in one day, let alone cater for a once-a-month crop. All this moaning by the conventional farmers about their late payments yet we have yet to receive one penny to help us on our way.
Allan

[Johnboy]

Hi Allan,
Farmers moan about the lack of payments but have you any idea how much they have paid out in comparison to yourself to produce their crops.

[peat]

with the price rise of crude oil and its likelyhood of ever more rises it probably will mean that the cost of bringing produce from abroad will be cost prohibitive. The main worry will be that this govt will have exported all our food production abroad and we will not be able to afford to buy it back.
We had a farmers market for a few years, but it folded last year. As it was run by the county council with a grant from the welsh assembly, it meant that any producer in wales could if they wanted to, could stand. This I thought was against the idea of farmers markets.
Pete

[Speedy]

I agree with Johnboy's observations, but I would very much doubt that any legislation would even be considered by any government. The supermarkets are far too powerful, have too much financial clout and too much influence with our political parties for anything which may be detrimental to them being passed by parliament. (Even our current government has a minister with links to a large supermarket chain, who recently "forgot" that he had given or was that loaned? a large amount of money to the party.) As much as I would love all of our food to be locally sourced, I think that the global power of the supermarkets will first have to be overcome and while they have such a grip over the consumer this would be an uphill (but not impossible) challenge.

Best wishes Speedy

[richard p]

the food supply system is based on transport from ares of low production cost (low wages and low regulation) to areas of high retail prices, this is dependant on low transport costs . when oil gets more expensive or runs out (which it must one day) the whole system will collapse. its even doubtful if growing your own will actually be possible as there will be so many hungry people roaming round looking for something to eat. in this country at the moment the tax take on retail sales of road fuel is so high that the government cannot allow developement of alternative fuels unless it can introduce taxation of them. this is why electric cars get no developement we cannot be allowed to refuel our transport from the domestic electric supply (or our own wind turbines) cos the government cant raise tax on it.
it seems that all we can do is bury our heads in the sand and enjoy the "benefits" of cheap oil based transport while we can, meanwhile pass on the knowledge of edible wild plants to our grandchildren cos sooner or later the whole system as we know it is going to break down.
having depressed everybody im off to wack some (edible ) stinging nettles with the petrol strimmer

[Tigger]

I agree too JB (although I do wonder what time your supermarket opens?). We have a number of thriving farmers markets and lots of markets with local producers (veg, fruit, cakes, pickles, flowers, jewellery, etc) and they only pay a nominal fee for their stall, so I assume that's why they survive.

I think there is some interest in seasonal food, as I think there is a growing recognition of British food, regional recipes and traditional methods, but it needs to be encouraged.

[Cider Boys]

Very interesting JB, I don't think legislation is the answer but perhaps the 'slow-food' movement is.

Barney