Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi Doctor Deb

I can't claim this one - it was organised by someone I have contact with but not me! It was a good piece though. Hoping for more exposure shortly - watch this space!

Managed to get a slot on Gardeners' World last night - but masses of the interview was cut out - still it was mentioned.

Dear Gallotments, it was you then, i did watch it and wondered if it was you or not.

You really do deserve a medal for the commitment you have shown at sticking to the task, well done.

And quite photogenic as well.

Never been called photogenic before - didn't you have your glasses on then?

It was a pity that the four hours the researcher spent with us was cut down to about 3 minutes due to how much they had to get into the programme. We were sort of relegated into an example of how the RHS can support gardeners. The interview questions left out got on to what we do now and how can we prevent future problems and the seriousness of the situation but that was all cut!! The researcher saw it as something to get his teeth into, he was all for opening a can of worms but the producer must have thought otherwise. He wanted to have a link to our website but I don't think the BBC legal department would agree to it. Anyway it got an airing.

I have been looking into the term organic on compost bags etc and have been shocked to find it means nothing - we gardeners just are not protected at all. I have posted my findings so far on http://glallotments.co.uk/organic.aspx and would be grateful if anyone can point me to any other info.

We really need some serious investigation journalism on to this whole problem which also has implication for green waste systems. Anyone know of anyone to contact

Visit us at
http://glallotments.btik.co.uk
and http://glallotments.blogspot.com

Gallotments, I think you have to see the situation realistically, whether it represents the view of the most morally right, Gardeners World, is the most popular allotment programmne that there is, without a doubt.

You got three minutes on it , on National TV during prime time, the situation in Georgia got the same time roughly on National News at prime time on the same evening.

The boy done well, don't underestimate, and content is always manipulated in the media, hence the prominence and popularity of forums like this.

Well Done!!

CoMpO

Compo,
Thanks for the encouragement!

The Gardeners' World bit paid off in some ways as I have had emails from people who hadn't realised that this problem existed and also a phone call from a journalist from the press agency who is going to try and get a story in the nationals.

Has anyone any idea who esle I can try to get to help publicise?

Hi Glallotments

I've sent you a PM

The "Metro" free newspaper here in London has picked up on the story today, use this link http://img.metro.co.uk/e-edition/An673/Metro20080820/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metro.co.uk%2Fe-metro and go to page 20, you may need to give it an e-mail address though.

I think this must have come via the press agency guy so if anyone else spots anything in any other paper will you let me know. The journalist was going to try and sell to as many papers as he could.

Local radio (Radio Leeds) are popping a slot on the Breakfast Show tomorrow - only problem is I guess it means getting up really early!!!

Managed a slot on the Breakfast Show for radio Leeds but it was pre-recorded so the editing took out some of the important bits. They concentrated on the didn't you do well to get the stuff withdrawn and cut the temporary bit and how the stuff is so persistent! I wanted it to act more as a warning to other gardeners to watch what they were buying!

This lead to a call from the Local TV prog Look North who were going to do a slot on tonight's show. They cried off as they are concentrating on the flooding instead. As they saw it as today's news they haven't rescheduled but at least now I have a producer to pester!

If anyone fancies trying for their local radio/TV - why not have a go - this way in bits and pieces we may get it going nationally

I haven't followed this story completely and maybe I have the thread wrong but the weedkiller in question has been suspended as reported in this months Tips from Pesticides in Action.


STOP PRESS!!!!!! Aminopyralid suspended
In July we reported on a weedkiller, aminopyralid, which farmers use on grass to kill dock and
other weeds. When cattle eat the grass the weedkiller passes through them into their manure.
Growers using this manure as fertiliser have had crops ruined. Upon request from the
manufacturer (Dow) the UK government has now temporarily suspended aminopyralid’s sale and
use. Pesticides Safety Directorate. Regulatory Update 24 July, 2008.

PESTICIDE
ACTION
NETWORK UK
http: //www.pan-uk.org

Beryl.

Hello Beryl,
Yes you are correct in that the product has been temporarily withdrawn until the PSD look into it further, however this withdrawal is ONLY temporary.
Also even if NO aminopyralid product was ever used again there will almost definitely be manure and compost in the system that will continue to cause problems for possibly another two or more years. That is the extent of persistence of the chemical when manure is stored in a heap. The aim of more publicity is to ensure that gardeners are aware of this and can take precautions over what they spread on their land.

Thank you for explaining.

Beryl.

Hi Glallotments,
I really object to the phrasing of the message Beryl posted (not Beryl's) with the PSD complying with a request from Dow, the manufacturer, to suspend sales and use of Aminopyralid!
I really think the PSD are a load of absolute dummies and totally toothless.
If any government department is in need of total reorganization it is the PSD. They should have been taking the lead in this from the very begining but as it is they appear not to be able to organise a piss-up in a brewery!
JB.