Trying to Keep Bridport GM Free, Protecting Scallops, A Community Orchard and all those road signs; some of the topics discussed at this months meeting of the Environment Group. 

The GM debate; the Government are currently consulting on its latest proposals for “coexistence” and guess what…. producers are to be self regulating, no one will be told where they will be grown and no national register will be kept, higher contamination rates than recommended will be accepted, buffer zones between crops can be as low as 35m and proving contamination is down to the individual!  If you’ve got the cash to fight the Monsanto’s of this world fine but if like the rest of us you don’t PLEASE fill in the Friends of the Earth petition online  before 20 Oct.
See related article  GM FREE ZONE

 More wet fish; the debate on the destruction of the coral beds off West Bay and the loss of the scallop population by mass dredging by boats “foreign” to the area has been high on the local agenda.  Not only because of the wanton destruction but the affect it must be having on our local fishermen who look after our seas in a traditional, sustainable way.  Again the Government (Ben Bradshaw MP) is calling for a voluntary agreement on no go areas.   This appears to be working in the short month or so it’s been in place but the Marine Conservation Society are naturally disappointed that it falls short of a ban in some sensitive areas.  The Group will be writing to the MP to express concerns and suggest more monitoring/policing takes place.

Future harvests; for some time now a voluntary group has been looking for a central town site for a community orchard.  The concept is well established in North Dorset and acts as a learning facility for children as well as sponsoring a sense of civic pride.  If anyone is interested please let us know as wider community involvement is central to this working.
 
“Watch your speed”, “People in road” sign; some members of the Group attended a conference on “Reclaiming our Rural Highways” put on by the Dorset AONB Partnership near Dorchester.  The real issue was “de-cluttering” or getting rid of unnecessary signage to improve the visual environment.  The sort of signs that warn of Deer and other animals (when you think we are in a rural area!), bend signs when there is clearly a bed and “road narrows” signs on the approach to a bridge. Research has shown that signs and lines can be overwhelming and don’t help the driver.  By removing some centre white lines and reducing signage vehicle speed is proven to be reduced and accidents fall.  Common sense stuff really, now being taken up in two pilots by the County.

Please post any Bridport wide environmental issues…..