Champion of nettles faces sting

[Guest guest]

Are the French havin a laugh or what? A French organic gardener may have broken a new law by writing a book on traditional composts THE author of a book about nettle compost is facing threats of a two-year prison sentence for illegal practice. Bernard Bertrand is suspected of infringing France’s new law banning the sale or promotion of organic fertilisers. “It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said M Bertrand, an expert on nettle, dandelion and comfrey composts, traditionally used to promote the growth of

vegetables and fruit. “These products have been used for generations — I have found references to them in the 18th century. But now we can’t even explain how they can be made, for fear of being prosecuted.” On Tuesday inspectors from the General Directorate of Competition, Consumer Rights and the Repression of Frauds are to visit the publishing house that M Bertrand set up to promote green gardening. He fears that they will try to block Purin d’Ortie et Compagnie (Nettle Compost and Company). The book’s co-author, Eric Petiot, an organic gardener who runs “Caring for Plants with Plants” courses, was himself recently visited by inspectors, who ordered him to stop taking his students into the countryside

to pick nettles to make into compost. “They are trying to force me to work with synthetic molecules,” said M Petiot. “I won’t accept it. Some natural preparations are much more efficient than chemical products.” The authorities are seeking to regulate France’s phytosanitary industry in the name of consumer protection. In a classic case of French dirigisme, MPs said that compost-makers needed a certificate provided by the French Food Safety Agency after “an evaluation of the risks and benefits of the products”. Virtually none of France’s organic compost has been certified because the cost of the tests demanded is way beyond the small companies involved, even though there is no suggestion that the composts are harmful. “They’re all far too small to be able to pay for the tests which you need to go through to get the certificate,” said M Bertrand. “The tests are designed by and for the agrochemical industry and are totally unsuitable for organic

producers.” The legislation, which carries a maximum two-year jail term and a £50,000 fine, also bans “all commercial publicity and all recommendations” for unauthorised products. A petition for its repeal is being circulated by Les Amis de l’Ortie (The Friends of the Nettle). M Bertrand said: “It’s an attack on the fundamental right to free speech and it could kill off our collective gardening memory.” Peter H

 

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[Guest guest]

We may well have similar new laws over here ! There's been over 3000 new laws since Blair arrived.

 

Jo

 

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peter VV

Sunday, September 17, 2006 8:17 AM

Re: Champion of nettles faces sting

 

Are the French havin a laugh or what?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A French organic gardener may have broken a new law by writing a book on traditional composts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE author of a book about nettle compost is facing threats of a two-year prison sentence for illegal practice. Bernard Bertrand is suspected of infringing France’s new law banning the sale or promotion of organic fertilisers. “It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said M Bertrand, an expert on nettle, dandelion and comfrey composts, traditionally used to promote the growth of vegetables and fruit. “These products have been used for generations — I have found references to them in the 18th century. But now we can’t even explain how they can be made, for fear of being prosecuted.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday inspectors from the General Directorate of Competition, Consumer Rights and the Repression of Frauds are to visit the publishing house that M Bertrand set up to promote green gardening. He fears that they will try to block Purin d’Ortie et Compagnie (Nettle Compost and Company). The book’s co-author, Eric Petiot, an organic gardener who runs “Caring for Plants with Plants” courses, was himself recently visited by inspectors, who ordered him to stop taking his students into the countryside to pick nettles to make into compost. “They are trying to force me to work with synthetic molecules,” said M Petiot. “I won’t accept it. Some natural preparations are much more efficient than chemical products.” The authorities are seeking to regulate France’s phytosanitary industry in the name of consumer protection. In a classic case of French dirigisme, MPs said that compost-makers needed a certificate provided by the French Food Safety Agency after “an evaluation of the risks and benefits of the products”. Virtually none of France’s organic compost has been certified because the cost of the tests demanded is way beyond the small companies involved, even though there is no suggestion that the composts are harmful. “They’re all far too small to be able to pay for the tests which you need to go through to get the certificate,” said M Bertrand. “The tests are designed by and for the agrochemical industry and are totally unsuitable for organic producers.” The legislation, which carries a maximum two-year jail term and a £50,000 fine, also bans “all commercial publicity and all recommendations” for unauthorised products. A petition for its repeal is being circulated by Les Amis de l’Ortie (The Friends of the Nettle). M Bertrand said: “It’s an attack on the fundamental right to free speech and it could kill off our collective gardening memory.”

Peter H

 

 

 

Try the all-new Mail . "The New Version is radically easier to use" – The Wall Street Journal