A slippery slope

Vast factory farms a step closer after ministers order research into ‘sustainable intensification’ of the livestock industry

'A new generation of vast pig and dairy factory farms look set be built.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1388176/Factory-farms-Ministers-order-research-sustainable-intensification-livestock.html

Easing of farming regulations could allow milk from TB-infected cattle into food chain

'Controversial proposal among more than 200 reforms to food safety and environmental regulations put forward by farming regulation taskforce'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/17/farming-regulation-tb-cattle-milk

NFU calls on MPs to back UK dairy farmers

'FARMING chiefs have called on the Government to back British dairy farmers or risk ‘losing them forever’, at a Westminster meeting with MPs this morning (Tuesday May 17).'

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/business/business-news/nfu-calls-on-mps-to-back-uk-dairy-farmers/39016.article

MPs lobbied over unfair dairy contracts

'The government has been urged to introduce fresh legislation to ensure dairy farmers are offered fairer contracts and receive higher milk prices.'

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/05/17/126840/MPs-lobbied-over-unfair-dairy-contracts.htm

Special report Milk: why the white stuff leaves a bad taste in the mouth

'Unlike tea and sugar, the fresh milk we drink with our cuppa is likely to come from farms in the UK. But as Tom Levitt reports, there are still serious environmental and animal welfare problems associated with the UK dairy sector'

http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/847971/milk_why_the_white_stuff_leaves_a_bad_taste_in_the_mouth.html

The limits of your ethical consumerism

'The RSPCA finds people have an inconsistent approach to meat and animal welfare. How far do your ethics extend at the till?'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/16/ethical-consumerism-rspca-animal-welfare

Crops: Drying a slow death

'The lack of rain is destroying crops, bringing chaos to the farming industry and threatening a steep rise in food prices. Clive Aslet seeks a way out of the crisis'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/crops/8519608/Crops-Drying-a-slow-death.html
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