Round-up – Glyphosate
The momentum is really picking up now after an American couple was awarded $2 billion compensation from Bayer/Monsanto. This is the third case where compensation was awarded in the US.
Yet only last week high levels of glyphosate (the active ingredient of Roundup) were found in a public drinking water supply in Newport, Co. Mayo. This doesn’t surprise me if you look around the countryside and see all the burnt grass verges. So many people are still out killing off the last refuges for biodiversity. I simply don’t understand how anyone would prefer the look of these ugly brown patches or strips that look like waste-ground for weeks on end to a natural wild flower strip?
Where are the regulations that were put in place after the WHO (World Health Organisation) declared glyphosate as a possible carcinogenic?
Glyphosate has also been found in many beers and also in breads. Out of 20 beer brands – 19 contained traces of glyphosate.
This is the worst use of Roundup. Farmers desiccate the barley and wheat crops about two weeks before harvesting. This means that they spray roundup onto the growing crop just before harvesting. It’s really awful to spray a chemical that is linked to cancer just 2 weeks before harvesting onto a growing crop! Just wonder why Teagsac is not worried yet of future court cases if they still recommend the use of it!
Fair play to Diageo though – after the exposure that their beer contains traces of glyphosate they are now banning the use of desiccation from all their suppliers. I’m delighted because I love a good pint of Guinness.
The DEFRA (UK Department of Agriculture) Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRIF) found that almost two thirds of wholemeal bread sampled contained glyphosate. I’m sure this is the same in Ireland. We now need ‘Pat the Baker’ or ‘Irish Pride’ to tell their suppliers not to spray roundup just before harvesting the wheat. This would have quite an effect and they would certainly get the extra edge like Diageo.
Gardening Courses and Events
Date: Saturday 8th June 2019
Venue: Walled Garden near Belfast
Course: Organic Garden in the summer and Organic Pest, Disease and Weed Control
Contact: bconnolly247@gmail.com
Date: Friday 14th – Sunday 16th June 2019
Venue: Renvyle House Hotel, Connemara, Co. Galway
Wild Atlantic Food Festival
I’m so looking forward to going back to our favourite hotel in Ireland for this event. Sally and John McKenna, Tim O’Sullivan and Michael Gibbons and many others will give talks, presentations and workshops. I will give a gardening demonstration and be part of a question and answer session. Book early as tickets may sell quickly.
https://www.renvyle.com/en/gourmet-food-weekend/
Date: Saturday 15th June 2019
Venue: Featherfield Farm, Lullymore, Co. Kildare
Beginner’s Poultry Keeping with Julian Pawlowski
Contact: Julian 087 6240811
An in depth one day course on poultry keeping for beginners. The course will cover housing requirements of various breeds; health and diet; breeding and breed selection. This course is based around practical demonstrations and hands on contact. Different breeds and equipment will be available on the day. How to avoid pests and diseases will be covered as will how to properly handle a hen including how to wash and present a hen for poultry shows.
Date: Saturday 7th September 2019
Venue: Featherfield Farm, Lullymore, Co. Kildare
Course: Complete Gardening Course with Klaus Laitenberger
This course is suited for anyone who plans to start a food garden. Heated classroom sessions on crop planning, rotations and tips on which crops are best suited for the small garden.
All courses begin at 9:30am tea/coffee. 10am course start. 11:30am tea/coffee. 1:30pm light lunch of soups & breads. Courses finish at 4:30pm with tea/coffee. Facilities include parking, toilets, heated classroom & farm shop.
To book phone 045 903100, 087 624 0811.
Date: Saturday 14th September – Sunday 15th September 2019
Venue: Ourganic Gardens, Co. Donegal
Course: Complete Organic Gardening Weekend with Klaus Laitenberger
Contact: Joanne Butler 087 1789971 or email: ourganicgardensdonegal@gmail.com
Date: Saturday 21st September 2019
Venue: Dalkey Garden School
Course: Winter Vegetable Gardening
Contact: Annmarie 087 2256365
Date: 27th – 29th September 2019
Gardening Weekend at Renvyle House Hotel in Connemara
The weekend programme will include an introductory evening, several demonstrations and workshops, a visit to Kylemore Abbey Victorian Walled Gardens guided by the head gardener, nightly in house entertainment, and complimentary use of on-site facilities.
More info and booking: Tel: 095 46100
Date: Tuesday 5th Nov – Wednesday 6th Nov 2019
Venue: Midland’s Park Hotel, Portlaoise
Bio-Farm 2019 – Ireland’s Second Biological Farming Conference.
Early booking is essential as last year’s conference sold out very quickly. Have a look at www.nots.ie or contact Sean on info@nots.ie
Happy Gardening,
Klaus Laitenberger