Is this another reason why we should grow our own?

Lotus-eater

withabix wrote: »

It would appear from latest reports that the outbreak has nothing to do with Spain. Or cucumbers. Infection apparently originated....in German water at a Festival.

It's just a typical case of the Master Race trying to blame someone else.

German Fail. Yet again.

What it was, was the Germans doing the right thing, when they found E-coli on cucumbers they told people, when they found that it was a different strain, they told people.
When they found out it may be coming from a festival, they told people.
They warned people in Germany to be careful with all fresh fruit and veg.

What exactly have they done wrong?
The German government has done nothing they shouldn't, or should be expected of them. The world press however, has done little to help and alot to panic. I suspect you would have blamed the government if they kept anything quiet.

So, I'd like to hear what you have to say to that. Try doing it without any xenophobic rants about 60 year old ideas please.

withabix

Lotus-eater wrote: »

What it was, was the Germans doing the right thing, when they found E-coli on cucumbers they told people, when they found that it was a different strain, they told people.
When they found out it may be coming from a festival, they told people.
They warned people in Germany to be careful with all fresh fruit and veg.

No, the Germans instantly blamed the outbreak on Spain.

Last time I looked, it was perfectly legal to criticise and hate Germans. They aren't a race, except in their own minds.

cootambear

I agree with all that Lotus has said.

The World Turned Upside Down.

cootambear

Rummer wrote: »

I support local businesses across the board for a number of different reasons. In relation to food I am conscious that it has travelled less and has used less fuel. Most of our local producers are also organic which I appreciate and from a finance point of view they employ local people and add to the local economy. Small scale food production is hard work and demanding and I want to support their efforts.

In relation to global food production I think recent natural disasters and climate changes have shown how vulnerable food production is. To me this hits home the importance of growing food in a variety of locations, climates etc That means if one area is hit that we have options instead of putting all our eggs in one basket.

As for other local businesses I like the fact that they are within walking distance, provide a personal service and again are supporting the local community through employment and various other things.

I just personally feel that each little bit counts.

1. Local food does not mean less fuel unless you only mean fuel for transport. For example would you only buy rice that is grown locally, at extravagant costs in manpower and fuel, rather than imported rice from thailand?

2. Whatever the food source, you support a local economy somewhere.

3. Without a global food economy which you seemingly despise, vulnerabilities would increase - local food shortages would result in local famines.

4. As per variety of locations, well that already happens doesnt it? Every country in the world farms areas in their lands that are economic. Unless you want to waste fuel by trying to grow coffee in the Pennines.

5. As for spending locally, up to you how you want to waste your money and the worlds energy resources.

cootambear

withabix wrote: »

No, the Germans instantly blamed the outbreak on Spain.

Last time I looked, it was perfectly legal to criticise and hate Germans. They aren't a race, except in their own minds.

You think the entire population of Germany are Nazis?

Lotus-eater

withabix wrote: »

No, the Germans instantly blamed the outbreak on Spain.

Last time I looked, it was perfectly legal to criticise and hate Germans. They aren't a race, except in their own minds.

Clearly you are incapable of understanding the facts as they happened. The Germans blamed no one, they merely stated what they had found. It was the media who whipped up the world into a doom frenzy.

Not really about being legal is it? Obviously explaining this to you is going to be a little difficult, as only someone who isn't quite all there, can hate a whole countries inhabitants, just for the fact they live there. It sounds very similar to the thing you are calling the Germans to me.

withabix

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Obviously explaining this to you is going to be a little difficult, as only someone who isn't quite all there

I didn't want to come right down to your level, but what the hell....

You're the one who isn't quite all there.

Have they brought your breakfast yet?


The German Health authorities blamed the outbreak 'on cucumbers imported from Spain' without any evidence whatsoever.

This is a bit like finding a dog turd on a pavement and concluding that dog turds are made by pavements.

Typical German attempt at blaming a problem on another country.

Rummer

cootambear wrote: »

3. Without a global food economy which you seemingly despise, vulnerabilities would increase - local food shortages would result in local famines.

I find your comments relating to my views really quite inaccurate . I in no way suggested I despise a global food economy. In fact as you then went on to criticise I stated that food should be grown in as many places as practical so the risk, and gains are spread.

If a type of food that I use is grown locally then I will where possible buy from a local supplier. That to me is a sensible idea.

Lotus-eater

withabix wrote: »

Have they brought your breakfast yet?


The German Health authorities blamed the outbreak 'on cucumbers imported from Spain' without any evidence whatsoever.

Typical German attempt at blaming a problem on another country.

You still don't seem to have got over your German inferiority complex yet.

I did get breakfast thanks, with fresh strawberries and red currants from the garden. Well worth it.

German authorities said that Spanish cucumbers may be the source, as they had identified E-coli bacteria on some of them, by the 31st they were reporting that they didn't think the cucumbers had anything to do with it and they gave their reasons. The press carried on blaming Spanish cucumbers long after this, or dropping hints they may be at fault.

I haven't seen a official German report which definitively blamed Spanish cucumbers, what they did do, is tell everyone not to eat any fresh veg or fruit, or to wash it well.
But if you can show me proof of The German Health authorities blamed the outbreak 'on cucumbers imported from Spain' without any evidence whatsoever. Then we'll see.

And by proof, I don't mean some nasty little newspaper.

Farway

Far better from the German health & food authorities than our own pathetic food / health organisations that denied BSE until it hit them in the face [burger form John Gummer anyone?], or any link to Fray Bentos corned beef with a Scottish outbreak, or salmonella in eggs [until outed by Edwina Curry], commercial sensitivity rules in UK, must protect the supplier above the consumer is the UK norm, unlike German effort who treat folk as adults able to make their own choices