Commenting on reports that biofuels have pushed up world food prices by up to 75%, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said:

“This is extremely worrying and a clear sign that we must move away from unsustainable biofuels.

“It’s time the Government and the EU closed the loopholes that support corn-based US bioethanol over more sustainable biofuels.

“However, not all biofuels are the same and we should not overreact and abandon the entire project.

“Some biofuels have potential to reduce carbon emissions from transport without having this effect on food production, but stringent sustainability standards are essential.

“We must also be aware that estimates of the effects of biofuels on food prices vary wildly and we should not rush to judgement until a consensus emerges.”

…….to transport brussels. I am a vegetarian and love my fruit and veg, especially brussels. What a boon then to be able to buy them all year round. I bought some at the weekend and I was shocked to see that they had come all the way from Australia.

So what? you may think, but with all this talk of carbon footprints, don’t you agree that it’s beyond the realms of reason to carry brussels halfway around the world? I remember my father saying that brussels didn’t taste right until they had been touched by frost and he was right.

I am going to make a real effort to eat veg that is either in season in UK or comes at least from western Europe. I shall not miss Californian oranges, lemons or other citrus fruits, but I shall miss eating brussels in summer!

The Liberal Democrats have petitions relevant to Global Warming and Green Taxes; by clicking on the link to the left of this column, you can access these petitions and sign up to them.

….or is it the drivers at fault? Just lately there seems to be a large number of articulated lorries travelling along New Mill Lane destined for ASDA. We all know that New Mill Lane is beset with problems, no footpath along a good part of it and two dangerous bends to manoeuvre, so this is a far from satisfactory situation. I have spoken to the manager at ASDA Distribution Centre in Wakefield and asked him to direct any drivers to use Old Mill Lane.  The staff at ASDA were most helpful and will do their best to solve this problem. (Oh and they don’t use Sat Nav) I have checked and there are 7.5 ton restrictions on New Mill Lane, so these lorries should not be using it as a ’shortcut’ to ASDA.

…. and the Government’s refusal to allow them to settle in UK, the following story was recently on the BBC. ‘Ex-Gurkha soldiers have demonstrated outside a landmark immigration tribunal which could determine whether thousands of veterans can settle in the Uk. The test case will decide whether the Government acted legally when it refused settlement to 14 Gurkhas.’

Nick Clegg said it was ‘a national disgrace that Gurkhas who have loyally  served Britain are being denied the right to live here in retirement’ and I strongly agree with his statement.

….and get walking. Fewer school-run car journeys means less pollution, less congestion and fewer road deaths. Children walking or cycling to school also get fitter – but the journey must be safe.

Let us all encourage  schemes  such as ‘Safe Routes to School’ with calmed traffic, safe pavements, good lighting and adults on hand to conduct ‘walking buses’. . . This will benefit adults as well as children. Some of our local schools have initiatives in place, so ask your teaching staff for details. If your child’s school doesn’t have any schemes in place, perhaps you could move the idea forward. It’s worth a try!