BBC Countryfile and illegal pesticides....

[Robt]

So, What was your view on the programme yesterday?
Nothing in reply from our industry on twitter or social media other than outraged farmers who were painted as buying and more worryingly pouring outdated/banned chems in the water way .
A dog walker allegedly had her dog poisoned while OFF the lead in scrub. The report said people that target birds of prey use illegal chems to kill them. It then shot straight to a picture of a sprayer and how it was the farmers fault....
Not one reference to their source of fact....
I am not normally one to moan about countryfile but last nights took the biscuit or bait ....
Anyone seen a response from NFU to it?

 

[7610 super q]

Hmmm.....with Red Tractor inspections, Sprayer certs/ MOT's / licences / written spray records is it even possible to use fake / banned pesticides ? Maybe I'm naive, but where the f**k could I buy fake pesticides ? I think it's a non story. Looks like a lone gamekeeper has managed to concoct something to kill birds of prey. Now the whole industry is tarred with the same brush. Oh well, farmer bashing, nothing new. You get used to it.

 

[JP1]

So, What was your view on the programme yesterday?
Nothing in reply from our industry on twitter or social media other than outraged farmers who were painted as buying and more worryingly pouring outdated/banned chems in the water way .
A dog walker allegedly had her dog poisoned while OFF the lead in scrub. The report said people that target birds of prey use illegal chems to kill them. It then shot straight to a picture of a sprayer and how it was the farmers fault....
Not one reference to their source of fact....
I am not normally one to moan about countryfile but last nights took the biscuit or bait ....
Anyone seen a response from NFU to it?

I may have misheard it but didn't the report say farmers may unwittingly buy fake / unlicensed stuff ?

 

[Suffolk Serf]

I took it as being more about farmers being duped, owing to shortages of certain chemicals, unknowingly into buying counterfeit chemicals, which were in fact banned products.
So not the farmers’ fault (for a change).

 

[Spencer]

Who actually watches Countryfile anymore... Its targeted at the dog walking/rambling brigade so just switch off and let them watch it!

 

[Tarw Coch]

I took it as being more about farmers being duped, owing to shortages of certain chemicals, unknowingly into buying counterfeit chemicals, which were in fact banned products.
So not the farmers’ fault (for a change).

Maybe I’m being naive but isn’t chemical supply in the hands off relatively large buisnesses who themselves buy of large scale manufacturers?
It’s not the sort of stuff that’s knocked up in a lock up and sold out of the back of a van.!

Where is this dodgy stuff coming from and how is it getting into farmers hands?

 

[Robt]

I may have misheard it but didn't the report say farmers may unwittingly buy fake / unlicensed stuff ?

that was said but it hinted strongly in times of short supply. Farmers may turn to a fake/non regulated supplies

 

[Exfarmer]

Sadly the usual anti chemical brigade guff, insunation with accusation against a whole industry, knowing that it is totally unchallengeable under UK law.

 

[robs1]

Do buyers actually test for these chemicals ?

 

[Yale]

 

[Exfarmer]

Hmmm.....with Red Tractor inspections, Sprayer certs/ MOT's / licences / written spray records is it even possible to use fake / banned pesticides ? Maybe I'm naive, but where the fudge could I buy fake pesticides ? I think it's a non story. Looks like a lone gamekeeper has managed to concoct something to kill birds of prey. Now the whole industry is tarred with the same brush. Oh well, farmer bashing, nothing new. You get used to it.

On the world market and particularly countries in Africa and Asia fake chemicals are a huge problem.
However it is a completely differentmatter in the UK where thrtrade is completelyunder the control of big companies. If I wa looking for such product, my first port of call would be Amazon and Ebay, but they would not be selling large drums For industrial use but small quantities for gardeners fed up with not being able to get anything but hmoeopathic type treatments in garden centres

 

[roscoe erf]

i blame the cyclists

 

[Farma Parma]

I saw it & spoke to neighbour this morning & we both thought who n where is any dodgy agchems available from?
Its a bit like knowing a m8 who knows a m8 who knows someone in the pub for some dodgy gear whatever it happens too be.
I have to speak to my agronomist shortly & i'll ask his side of the tale & report back.
I think there making something up to be honest.
Collecting old chem containers up is probs correct yes.
Its at these times you need the assurance scheme lot to fight there corner or possibly the President of the NFU to do an interview on next weeks program
to put things a bit clearer

 

[Suffolk Serf]

Maybe I’m being naive but isn’t chemical supply in the hands off relatively large buisnesses who themselves buy of large scale manufacturers?
It’s not the sort of stuff that’s knocked up in a lock up and sold out of the back of a van.!

Where is this dodgy stuff coming from and how is it getting into farmers hands?

I don't know. I'm only a pig farmer.

 

[hally]

So, What was your view on the programme yesterday?
Nothing in reply from our industry on twitter or social media other than outraged farmers who were painted as buying and more worryingly pouring outdated/banned chems in the water way .
A dog walker allegedly had her dog poisoned while OFF the lead in scrub. The report said people that target birds of prey use illegal chems to kill them. It then shot straight to a picture of a sprayer and how it was the farmers fault....
Not one reference to their source of fact....
I am not normally one to moan about countryfile but last nights took the biscuit or bait ....
Anyone seen a response from NFU to it?

NFU response

 

[hally]

Seriously that is one of the main reasons I left the NFU, these quite frankly serious allegations should be challenged at all times to deter fake news from these large media outlets. At least a letter from NFU to the BBC so they know any accusations need to be backed up by evidence or legal action will be taken but sadly as an industry our leaders never want to rock the boat.
The public recoil at the mention of chemical use until they want to shower in the morning, wash their clothes, need medical treatment , maintain their gardens etc etc.
We need to show that our house is in order as an industry and to say otherwise must be proven or we will lose a lot of these chemicals rapidly.

 

[deleted user 837354]

i blame the Derrick and his lycra

Harsh but true?

 

[Hfd Cattle]

I very rarely defend the NFU but in their defence ...Were they given a chance to comment ?
We only suffer country lies cos the FIL likes to watch it and is completely in awe of it ....but he is nearly 95 with dementia .
Perhaps he fits in well with it

 

[Tarw Coch]

I think the point he was making is that the NFU should be on to it first thing this morning..............maybe they were

 

[An Gof]

It was more Biased Broadcasting again
Not sure what NFU can do about it as they already have a litany of instances against BBC
I do know that the VI (voluntary initiative) have taken it up with the CPA who are, I understand, going to be in contact with the producers. Would have thought Charlotte was above that level of reporting ....... very disappointed in her