The European horse meat scandal pales into relative insignificance with a report from China where it is claimed that rogue meat traders have disguised meat from rats, foxes and mink as mutton (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/03/china-meat-offence-rat-mutton?INTCMP=SRCH). They apparently did this by using gelatin and colouring agents. This action, of course, has the same origins as the European scandal namely the ability to make big profits by avoiding any of the normal public safety controls associated with foods. Substitution of one species for another is clearly big business and takes some time to detect. One of the issues that people have not dwelt on to a great extent are the possibilities that the substitutions may well introduce viruses, bacteria and worm parasites into the the human populations that consume them. They may even play a role in generating new pandemic diseases as some of these agents change in their new hosts. And what about the possibility that warfarin could be added to the human diet in this way?
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Saturday 4 May 2013
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Seeing the Changes 2016
Further flowers in Bynea. Pineapple mayweed ( Chamomilla suaveolens ) and feral Cultivated apple ( Malus domestica ) put in appearances.
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The UK government continue their quest to turn England's rivers back into sewers. They first facilitated the privatised water companies...
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Garden plants in France, The Netherlands, The UK and Sikkim (NE India).
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