Did you see this programme on BBC 4 today – ‘Land Of Hope and Glory,’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b072w04s/land-of-hope-and-glory-british-country-life-episode-1 following the relationship between the Country Life magazine and the British countryside.
A very good programme but somewhat biased in favour of farmers but does make one realise on the face of it, what a stunningly beautiful landscape we still have. Dwelling as it does on the bovine Tb disaster in our countryside, I wonder if a big mistake was made years ago in the way protection was afforded to badgers. Should there have been research carried out into how to monitor and limit badger numbers in the expectation of a significant rise in thier population following commencement of their protection?
With regard to changes in the countryside, much of the ravaging of the countryside has and is being carried out in the name of farming. It’s often the so-called ‘do-gooders’ who are fighting a rearguard action against the stripping away of regulations, unsustainable farming practices and the destruction being caused by agro-chemical company giants. Nearly every day, I cannot believe the scale of the dearth of wildlife in the fields and hedgerows across much of this still beautiful country.
We all need food to live but there could be with clear, research-led leadership, another way to protect and reinvigorate Britain’s struggling wildlife AND produce much of the staple foods that we require!
I walked the Smedmore Estate quite a lot.
Monty.
http://www.montylarkin.co.uk for environmental news & views; books & talks.
From: Neil Baker <ncb.cottage@btinternet.com>
To: Monty Larkin <montylarkin@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: Sunday, 6 March 2016, 12:26
Subject: BBC 4
Did you see this programme http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b072w04s/land-of-hope-and-glory-british-country-life-episode-1