We May All End Up Veggie

There is bad news ahead it seems for all the carnivores in the UK, i.e. those that cannot survive without meat with every meal. Both the Scotsman and the Times are running with the warning from the Food Security plan that rationing and vegetarianism may become a way of life for the UK in the decades ahead.

The reasons for this shift and warning despite the UK being 70% self sufficient in food at the moment are growing world population, climate change brining extreme weather conditions, higher fuel costs and crops being grown for bio-fuels and not food. The food security plan has also considered disease to animal stocks, disruption to power supplies, trade disputes and interruptions to shipping and at ports as with increased need more piracy may lead to hazards with importing supplies.

But the British people may not need to worry too much about a meat free diet the most extreme result if the UK had to feed itself may well lead to that level. It would occur if the cereals we currently grow to feed livestock had to be shifted towards human consumption. However, rationing is likely to come in first. We currently have an average intake of 2,800 calories per day compared with 2,100 in the 1960s.

But things may well have to change if climate change leads to reduced water availability how we grow our crops will have to be reconsidered. If trade with a few trading partners Argentina and Brazil dries up for whatever reason our level of meat and poultry would be reduced. Hilary Benn the environment minister said:

"We need a radical rethink in how we produce and consume food. Globally we need to cut emissions and adapt to the changing climate that will alter what we can grow and where we can grow it. We must maintain the natural resources — soils, water and biodiversity — on which food production depends."

"And because we live in an interconnected world — where the price of soya in Brazil affects the price of steak at the local supermarket — we need to look at global issues that affect food security here. That’s why we need to consider what food systems should look like in 20 years and what must happen to get there."

So although the news isn't of immediate concern the fact is that we may all need to start to rethink our eating habits. Having stayed the weekend with friends and eaten some of the produce of their back garden like I did a great deal in the 70s from my parents' vegetable patch this sort of thing may become more of a reality in the years ahead, for a lot more people.

However, the report those show the international co-dependency of the food chain and that there are a few cogs that the UK has little to no control over and that if it were to cease up we'll need to look at alternatives. So although I'm well prepared for a vegetarian diet the rest of you will not have to jump that far, just yet.

Independence Day

As I sit here drinking tea I'd like to raise a cup to American Independence on this fourth of July. You seen American once upon a time was a colony of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland but as a result of some rebels trying to make a giant pot of tea, without putting warm water in first, out of Boston harbour a little war broke out and General George Washington and the settlers in the new world told George III (before he went mad and lost his regnal numerals to Holywood) they wanted nothing more to do with him or his country.

Now sadly if only that were the case in reverse. Tony Blair acted as a loyal poodle to Gen. Washingston successor when requested to take our country into this war on terror. Unfortunately he could tell a little lie and somehow he didn't get chopped down with it or somehow was an axe little or otherwise.

Then we had a super-prudent Chancellor, according to J.G. Brown Esq of Fife. However, despite being super-prudent he apparently forgot to save for a rainy day. Well the storm came because the banks in that 'Independent' land decided to over extend, themselves and not be prudent who who they set up mortgages for. After all every Englishman's home may be his castle, but in the land of the free every one should be able to buy their own home. So Mr Brown ended up buying a bank for the nation which we don't seem to be benefiting from.

Now as regular readers will know people from the independent states over the pond are interfering in what is shown on the motherland's television screens. Just because the company happens to have been founded over there. The company says it understands different cultures, yet somehow gives in to the first narrow minded culture that objects.

So happy Independence Day America and having many good American friends who get the whole concept of there being a world outside the 50 states I'm speaking to the rest. You're Independent you didn't want anything to do with the UK, can you please stop interfering in our domestic issues or we can welcome you back into the Union under the old arrangement if you wish.