Letters Page

Dear John and Sally

Hello John and Sally,
As you know, people only write when they have something to complain about. Well, I think that your comment on the organic movement achieving victory over conventional farming and the likely prosecution of conventional farmers for environmental damage is to misrepresent the history of agricultural learning.
Conventional and organic farming are not at war with each other. I am a member of both IOFGA and the Organic Trust, yet I grow conventional crops. The truth is that both methods have much to learn from each other. A good friend of mine grows organic apples which he sprays twice as often and with four times more pesticide than I use on conventional fruit. One of his favorite pesticides is about to be banned by the EU because it is so detrimental to the environment. In any case, the elemental sulphur which he sprays is a finite resource.
This is not the case with many conventional agrochemicals which can be made using oil which is of course produced by plants (although fossil oils are currently used in the manufacture of many of these).
The sustainability of any system which does not allow fertiliser inputs from outside the farm-gate is questionable. This is especially the case in Ireland because we export food (and hence nutrients) and if these cannot be replaced on the land infertility is inevitable. This was first evident in Ireland sixty years ago (before conventional farming) because of the naturally low phosphate levels in Irish soils. Because of crop harvests phosphate became a limiting element and productivity suffered severely. When phosphate fertilisers became available there was a huge improvement. Of course many elements of conventional farming are also unsustainable.
However, this is not a reason to think that conventional farmers are heading for the dustbin of history; Rather we need to acknowledge that we all have much to learn about sustainability and that there are unpalatable truths for all types of farmers (this means organic farmers too) to face up to. In the meantime we can thank the organic movement for drawing our attention to first of the problems which need to be faced.
Con Traas, The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Co Tipperary
PS. I really enjoyed the piece about Bantry.

*Thanks Con, and we have to admit to having been provocative, and it was worth it to receive such a considered letter. Normally, conventional farmers simply get aggressive, rather than explicatory, so thank you for the measured approach of your reply. All we can say about Con's agricultural methods are that they produce the most sublime apple juice sold in Ireland.

Dear John & Sally,
Just a note on a spot in Ennis we love, it's called Bistro on the Lane and the food is quite superb. It is scheduled from what we hear to undergo renovations soon. No idea of the name of the chef who owns it but definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
Keep up the good work.
Slan Mary & Paul Vallely

*Thanks guys, glad to hear from these former-restaurateurs again, and another destination address in up-and-coming Ennis.

Dear John & Sally
It's nice to hear people say that they don't like to put a huge mark up on wine.
Very refreshing.
Kate Gallagher, Dublin

*Kate is talking about that great wine institution Bond in this mail, and we heartily agree with her.

Dear John & Sally
We have a copy of the 100 Best Restaurants 2000 and are wondering when the 2002 edition is due to be published. We are waiting for it!!
Thank you.
Helen and Noel

*Thanks Helen and Noel, and Mid-April should see the 2 new 2002s launched: we are just putting the little critters to bed. There are dozens of changes this year, probably more than have ever been in the ten years of the 100 Best guides.

Dear Sirs
Our company is part of biggest Bulgarian exporter of pumpkinseeds "Lady Nails" variety. We export pumpkinseeds with best quality and we loaded 2-4 conts. per week to Mexico and USA. If you have any interest of that kind of product please inform us.
Best regards
Dancho Danchev, email: valon@netbg.com

*Thanks Dancho. Lady Nails, hmmm, now there's something for someone to think about a marketing strategy.

Dear John & Sally
Just a message for whoever is servicing this address, perhaps yourselves! I have managed to have Megabytes junked for the third month in a row. Inadvertently of course! Can you please send me Dec. Jan. and Feb. issues again and this time they should get into my inbox - thanks!
Maria, Galway

* You can find all the old issues of Megabytes in our Newsletter Archive which is linked to from the right hand side of this webpage.

Dear Megabytes
Give'um HELL Mr. Simmonds.
Randy Gilmore, Missouri City, TX

*He did! See our story.

Dear John & Sally
Love the site!! In fact so much that I can't read the text on the pages (the resolution is too small) and end up copying and pasting the text into Word to read it. It'd be very handy to be able to read it straight off the website!! Save a lot of messing.
Keep up the good work!
Marcia, Rathfarnham

*We've had a problem with this on some browsers, and you can be assured that we are looking into it. Thanks to all those who alerted us to this.

email John and Sally | read other articles in this issue