Chicken Mega-Farms for the UK?

It is said that the average person in the UK eats chicken twice a week. The poultry industry has claimed that, to continue this, will require the setting up of more chicken mega-farms where thousand of birds are housed under cover (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/03/intensive-chicken-mega-farms-feed-uk-poultry-industry-head-richard-griffiths). This is in spite of a mark-up price for 'free-range' chicken produce (the producers argue that consumers will have the choice). Unfortunately, mega-farms may well prove to be inescapable post-Brexit if the UK gets a 'great deal' with the US that forces us to take chlorinated chicken (genuinely, a 'race to the bottom').

Lettuce be Thankful?

I must admit to not being too enthusiastic about the green stuff but, in the current heat-wave, UK lettuce prices are reportedly rocketing (get it?) as the local crops have failed to cope with the elevated temperatures and water shortages (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/13/uk-imports-salad-from-us-spain-and-poland-as-heatwave-hits-crops). Demand (it's hot, so lets eat salad) has, reportedly, led to lettuce being imported mainly from the US, Poland and Spain. Wasn't it only a short time ago when lettuce was linked to E. coli outbreaks? I do hope that the imports are being carefully monitored.

8 out of 14 (Rhinos)

It is deeply disturbing that 8 out of the 14 endangered Black rhinoceros that were moved (for their protection) to a national reserve in southern Kenya have promptly died (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/13/kenya-rhinos-die-after-being-moved-between-national-parks). It is suspected that salt poisoning is the root cause as the waters in the reserve are notably more salty. This kind of disaster shows how conservation can be imperilled by small issues.

Baby Powder

Worrying reports that the Johnson and Johnson Company have been ordered by a court in St Louis to pay more that $4.5bn damages to women (and their families) who developed ovarian cancer (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/13/johnson-johnson-ordered-to-pay-47bn-in-talc-powder-claim). The claim (disputed by the company who will challenge the ruling) is that the talc contains (or contained) Traces of  asbestos that was found in some of the people who developed cancer. Asbestos is, of course, a potent carcinogen.

Seeing the Changes 1350

In addition to the uneaten nettles, there have been remarkably few 'customers' for Butterfly bush around this locality. No Small tortoiseshells, no Red admirals, no Peacocks and no Painted ladies! Just a couple of Commas.

The Cream for the Cream?

The hot weather in the UK is causing problems for farmers and their cows (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/13/sunscreen-for-cows-uk-farmers-struggle-to-cope-with-heatwave). Some farmers are reporting that the old-style provision of stone walled buildings and stands of trees benefit the animals but cows lose appetite in the heat and have to be enticed (by proximity) to eat. It has even been suggested that sun-burnt cows should get sun cream!

Seeing the Changes 1349

In Bynea, Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) was in flower.