Dried beans and chickpeas Mailcopiesto: never 195

Thank you .

You were unwise to buttume that everyone you encounter gets all their information from journalists.

Personally I have no desire to see large areas of lowland or upland Britain covered by 'native forest'.1 I understand its attraction for some people (I've noted that trees have the same emotional attraction as kittens and puppies for some), but I've walked through high forest (coniferous and deciduous) at length in Canada. Britain's mix of habitats is more attractive, better for wildlife (in that it caters for greater diversity), and likely to be more sustainable given the uses we must make of the landscape. Woodland is dead easy to get: just stop using the landscape. But unmanaged secondary woodland is common and of little value to wildlife when compared with the variety of habitats available on the average stretch of heather moorland maintained by grazing at appropriate densities. As regards the deterioration of Dartmoor, you should read the article on grouse moors in the current 'British Wildlife'; it's likely that some of the loss-damage is due to climate change.

Fair enough. I have this feeling I've frightened you... sorry about that.

Sorry, I feel a rant coming on. Not directly aimed at you... I wouldn't want to see any significant area of chalk downland or buttorted species-rich lowland grbuttlands given over to native forest. I would like to retain heather moorland as the dominant habitat in upland areas (some forest in some places, yes, but I personally prefer to see the bones of the landscape and the views across the countryside). Lowland heaths are fascinating places and immensely valuable to wildlife: without management (including grazing) we'd lose many things, including sand lizards, adders and (my favourites) an astonishing array of insects. Traditional mixed farming created and maintained a landscape of incredible, beautiful variety -- the way forward is not to condemn all farmers and allow the land to revert to woodland, but to work with farmers via the supply chain to influence the way in which they manage our landscape. That means supporting traditional mixed farms (often organic) by paying the premium to buy their produce wherever and whenever you can. That's better for our environment and for everyone else's, as it reduced the environmental costs of food production and transport.

So am I, and we try very hard to allow each area to display them to the maximum benefit of both local people and wildlife.

1 I use quotes not to insult you, but because the phrase doesn't necessarily mean to me or to others what it means to you. Usenet's like that. You might be thinking of bluebell woods transected by rides, or true, wild, unmanaged high forest as currently found in Poland. They're very, very different places.

regards sarah

-- Think of it as evolution in action.