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Watching a programme, 'Counterblast', on BBC1 in Jan. 1999 I was shocked to see  that it was a blatant, unremitting attack on organic farming. I guessed it wouldn't exactly be a supportive programme - the title, after all, was 'Organic Food - The Modern Myth'. I was puzzled however that such an idealistic, small scale and decent activity should attract the concentrated hostility of the scientific and economic community. It was also my first experience of Prof. Anthony Trewavas, one of the 'men in white coats' on the progamme, who struck me and my son (I have a special faith in his judgement on media figures since his dismissal of Brian Lenihan - overheard on a radio programme issuing his infamous 'mature recollection' statement - as a liar. My son was 10 years old at the time) as particularly insincere and a bit of a bully (subsequent knowledge of, and dealings with, the good professor bore these impressions out completely). 
It was one of those experiences that spurs one to action and I determined to somehow get involved in countering the propaganda of the forces represented on that Counterblast broadcast that evening. 

Note; I originally rang the BBC. They replied with a circular letter. They'd had a lot of reaction to the programme. They did not reply ot my letter. I have no record of them subsequently giving an 'equal airing' to the organic movement.

Waterfall,
Hungry Hill,
Castletownbere,
Co. Cork.

re ; "Counterblast " programme, "Organic Food - The modern Myth"

Dear Ms Doak (of the BBC)
I received your  letter of  9th Feb last week.
I find it very surprising that you justify the programme because it ".....air(s)views that are either normally misrepresented or under-represented in the mainstream media."
On the contrary, if anything, the view presented by Mr Bates is one that is over-represented. To many it was all too-familiar territory. We hear the same arguments constantly from farmers, their politicians, the farming press, the GM food industry, scientists and indeed from all areas of the mainstream media. Until now their arguments were fragmented, vicious, incoherent, and even anti-scientific( yes; it constantly amazes me how illogical scientists can be when they and their funds are threatened); they hadn't got their act together, possibly because they felt that organic farming was only a marginal activity that could be side-swiped out of existence or ignored altogether.
It is a measure of the success of the organic movement that the vested interests are now being forced to confront it with all their resources - it is fast becoming a mainstream competitor. There is also a strong suspicion that the GM industry, smarting heavily from its recent setbacks, is deeply involved in slandering organic farming because they see this as a more productive, longer term, stategy than immediately trying to stuff their GM products down reluctant Euro-consumers' throats.
You have to hand it to them now though, because they are finally getting it together.
And they are doing it very professionally: they can afford it .
There have been a whole series of attacks in the media in recent times.The Counterblast programme is a good example of this effective if Goebbels-like propaganda. The ABC 20/20 John Stossel programme in early Feb. was another attempted hatchet-job on the organic sector - its principal contributor has since been completely discredited.
The sad thing about all of this is that, to a very large extent, it is a done deed that organic farming is going to be the main type of European farming in the future - eg see Agenda 2000 proposals. It is depressing that the agri-industries of countries like the UK and Ireland are prepared, obstinately Canute-like, to fight the inevitable to the bitter end. This is a terrible waste of all our energies. On the other hand, major food-producing countries like Dennmark are planning a national organic industry and considering how best to capitalise on the huge opportunities presented.
With regard to the BBC's role in this affair I would think that you have allowed yourself to be used in this propaganda campaign and permitted a programme to be aired of monumental, mischievous misinformation.
Common justice can simply be served by allowing the organic movement an equal airing of their case.

Thank you.

Jim O'Connor, West Cork.

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