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THE front page of the JEP reporting the threat to meat imports brought home the fact that we live in a small island, perhaps with many advantages, but also problems, especially increasing population and decreasing food prospects.
We can never be self-sufficient, but we can try a little harder. The shops were empty and nothing at all came into this Island when I was a child. Heaven forbid ever having Occupation days again, but with national emergencies perhaps there may not be a boat in the morning. So it's a good idea to have stores - a little meat in the deep freeze, etc.
Why am I a farmer today? We needed a cow to survive in 1940. The dwindling farming community are more important than perhaps it would appear to the public. They need support and encouragement from fellow Islanders to keep 'brown cows in green fields'.
Not only is it a question of milk (there is a rising world shortage), but foodstuffs for animals this winter will be scarce and expensive, making the far-mer's lot more difficult.
The question of Island meat is important to self-sufficiency. Fortunately, farm shops have appeared, with excellent local produce. The meat is superb, from local cattle, and remember that Jersey is disease-free - no TB or other complaints. The animals are very carefully reared.
Sadly, bull calves are not kept. Indeed it's not economic to keep all heifers, for there are no sales now. The prospect of meat gives the animal a life, and the farmer an income, to help meet the high costs. Milk will never be very profitable alone.
Let us hope that the trend towards rearing local meat will be encouraged.
This is only a little island, and we don't have the fields for it to become a big industry.
However, it can certainly help to feed the population, and it is very good meat.
We all pray that there will be no more outbreaks of foot-and-mouth. If it ever gets to Jersey, the outlook doesn't bear thinking about.
With such large herds here now, the danger is great to our lovely cows.
Blanc Pignon, Ruelle ès Ruaux, St Brelade.
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