UFO Info Week-End

The letter to Mr Tyler sent a day earlier represented early thinking about the inquiry

The letter to Mr Tyler (sent a day earlier) represented “early thinking” about the inquiry.The move has infuriated campaigners who insist that a wide-ranging, transparent investigation is needed to ease public concerns about the incident, in July 1988, when water supplies were polluted by 20 tons of aluminium sulphate, leading to complaints of long-term effects on victims’ memories and balance.They say the full consequences of the incident were covered up by the Conservative government of the time because it was in the middle of privatising the water industry and wanted no bad publicity.. Two leading supermarkets, Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Somerfield, said yesterday that they aimed to cut pesticide use on their fruit and vegetables. Two leading supermarkets, Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Somerfield, said yesterday that they aimed to cut pesticide use on their fruit and vegetables.The statements came after the pressure group Friends of the Earth (FoE) found that 63 per cent of M&S’s produce, and 59 per cent of Somerfield’s, carried pesticide residues – more than any of the other nine supermarkets surveyed.However, FoE also found that in the past three years an average of almost half of the fruit and vegetables sold in all nine supermarkets contained chemical residues.Pesticide residues in food are closely monitored by health watchdogs because of fears that they could contain chemicals that in turn might trigger cancer or other illnesses.M&S, however, insisted that it had been unfairly singled out. “In the last four Government Pesticide Surveillance Reports, we were the only major food retailer that did not exceed the legal maximum residue levels,” said David Gregory, the chain’s head of food technology.The findings still fell within permitted levels, he said. “We have a long-term aspiration to sell residue-free foods.” M&S intends to phase out all pesticides using any of 79 particular chemicals by January next year.Somerfield said its position was the result of its customers’ preference for conventional rather than organically grown food. “We have less demand from our shoppers for organic food, which is generally grown without pesticides. But we are trying to reduce the levels of pesticides used in our food,” the Bristol-based supermarket said.Residues can vary according to food type, with none found in garlic, Chinese cabbage, sweetcorn or swedes in any of the nine supermarkets tested, FoE said.

Some of the highest residues were recorded in celery, grapes, oranges, strawberries, pears, lettuce and apples.Although FoE said it found most of the residues were within legal limits, the high number meant people are regularly exposed to a “cocktail of pesticides” on food. Sandra Bell, an FoE campaigner, said: “Many consumers will be shocked to find out that about half the fresh fruit and veg they put in their shopping trolleys comes laced with dodgy chemicals. Fruit and vegetables are crucial to a healthy diet – they should not come with toxic residues.”However, some scientists say that fears over pesticides are overblown. Professor Bruce Ames of the University of California said recently that some of the most potent residues are produced by the plants themselves to fight off insects.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is currently preparing the annual report from the Pesticides Safety Directorate. Pesticide residuesPercentage of fruit and vegetables with pesticide residues 1998-2000Marks & Spencer 63%Somerfield 59%Sainsbury’s 49%Asda 48%Safeway 46%Tesco 45%Co-op 44%Morrisons 39%Waitrose 29%Source: Government’s Pesticide Safety Directorate, analysed by Friends of the Earth. Rain at York yesterday was bad news for at least two of the leading contenders for the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Group One event on the opening day of next week’s York’s Ebor meeting.

Rain at York yesterday was bad news for at least two of the leading contenders for the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Group One event on the opening day of next week’s York’s Ebor meeting.
Medicean and Grandera would perform best if the ground was riding fast on Tuesday, but after 5mm of rain yesterday morning the advance going at York was changed from “good” to “good, good to soft in places”.John Smith, the clerk of the course, said: “The course is in perfect shape and we would love it to stay like this for next week It looks an absolute picture. They are talking about more rain over the weekend but the going on Tuesday will depend on what we get. I wouldn’t like to say at the moment.”James Fanshawe, who trains Grandera, is leaning towards the Group One race even though his colt is also entered in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, a Group Two contest on the same day. “My intention is to go for the Juddmonte, although we have got the option of the Great Voltigeur as well,” Fanshawe said.”I hope the rain keeps away He likes good ground, or faster. He has done everything right and I am looking forward to next week,” the trainer added.The three-year-old chestnut is one of 14 acceptors for the Juddmonte and 18 for the Group Two Great Voltigeur. Grandera was a half-length second of eight behind Medicean in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last time out.Before that Sandown effort, Grandera was an excellent third to Anabaa Blue in the French Derby at Chantilly.