tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626814458689931993.post3184401967262055576..comments2022-09-01T15:51:31.185+01:00Comments on Graham Harvey's NEWS FROM THE GRASSROOTS: Squandering our futureGraham Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051109701214515741noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626814458689931993.post-38810035304282085522009-01-15T11:04:00.000+00:002009-01-15T11:04:00.000+00:00The deluges last year, which were 3 times more fre...The deluges last year, which were 3 times more frequent than even in 2007 (I have the figures. In 2008 there was 15 or 16 days with >20mm rain, compared to 5 in 2007 and 4 in 2006 - figs from Thatcham, Berks) meant a lot more problems than usual with water and, with it, soil being washed off fields. On one of my regular routes into the Berkshire Downs it was very clear what the effect has been of removing what would have been very old hedges between the arable fields and the (minor) road. No hedges and there was loads of surface water on the road. Hedges intact = no water. There are still far too few farmers embracing sustainable farming methods - in fact I'd say that the ones that do are a very very significant minority, at least that is the case on the Berkshire Downs. Pity is we should all be taking the sort of photos that Graham is - because we need to collect the visual evidence to demonstrate this is the case. Maybe this is something that could be promoted using vols - it may help with the forthcoming major review of CAP.<BR/><BR/>Sue EverettSue Everetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12754173468386870592noreply@blogger.com