THE Prince of Wales spoke out yesterday against "the
growing divide" between town and country in Britain and
championed rural life at the opening of the Royal
Agricultural Show in Builth Wells, Mid Wales.
The Prince did not refer directly to the Government's
plans to allow a vote on whether to ban hunting, or the
problems for landowners and farmers for a "right to roam"
policy.
He said, however, that the divide was adding to the plight
of farmers who were going through "desperately difficult"
times. His remarks were cheered by farmers, who made it
clear that they felt they had found an ally.
The Prince said: "The countryside which those who live in
cities rightly like to enjoy would be nothing without the
care exercised by farmers."
He said the countryside, wherever it was, was "a
profoundly precious national asset that should be
treasured". He also criticised the amount of farming
bureaucracy and said that the "seemingly endless growth
in regulations threatens to stifle the enterprise of the farmer
with the courage to diversify".
The Prince, in Wales for a week of engagements, also had
a side-swipe at genetically modified crops. "There can be
few better ways to add value to your product than by
converting to organic production and, dare I say it, by
being as far as possible in a GM-free country," he said.
He closed his remarks with an emotional plea: "I pray with
all my heart that the future may be brighter and, above all,
that the farming community and all that it stands for is
supported, protected and cherished."
Bob Parry, leader of the Farmers' Union of Wales, said it
was "obvious" that the Prince was alluding to a possible
hunting ban.
"The feeling in the countryside is that townies are
interfering in the country way of life. The Prince hunts, he
knows the views and realises full well that a hunting ban
will create a new divide between countryside and urban
areas. He knows how strongly people feel about this - it's
a way of life for many."
Ben Gill, president of the National Farmers' Union, said
that the Prince had identified real gaps between town and
country. "Urban people are attacking our way of life and
our crops. Just look at the terrorists who are disrupting
the badger trials and who are destroying GM crops."
Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside
Alliance, said: "It was first-class speech and it is clear he
was referring to everything that is impacting on people in
the countryside. Hunting is one of those things but is not
everything."
He said that Westminster MPs could learn from Welsh
Assembly members who had turned up at the Royal
Welsh Show to speak to rural people. "You are lucky to
see an MP at an English show. The Government finds
solutions for rural areas and imposes it on them."
Meurig Raymond, a farmer from St David's,
Pembrokeshire, said: "It is all about standards of living.
People in the countryside really feel they are part of a
forgotten race."
William Jenkins, a hill farmer near Blackwood, Gwent,
said: "We are almost at a situation where many children
do not even know where milk comes from. Yet all the
time new burdens are being placed on rural people . . .
but this is our living and our workplace and we must
protect our shop floor."
~*~
Queen's £1,000 sandwiches(Electronic Telegraph)
By Michael Paterson
THE Queen is spending more than £1,000 a week on having sandwich
lunches delivered to Buckingham Palace.
Around 150 sandwiches are being bought daily from the Pret à Manger chain
to ease the pressure on the 10 chefs employed at the Palace. A Palace
spokesman said the sandwiches had been introduced in recent weeks after
staff said they wanted extra options beside cooked food at lunchtime.
He said: "It would be a lot of effort for our chefs to have to make up
sandwiches on top of the meals they already provide." It is not known if the
Royals have taken to eating the sandwiches, but the spokesman confirmed:
"We are getting all Pret à Manger's fillings, including coronation chicken."
Over the counter, packs of sandwiches from the London-based chain cost
between £1.05 and £2.89. The Palace spokesman did not know if the Queen
got a discount.