[Papa]

Dear Davewarne:

I am glad to see that you have not lost your sense of humor! (Don't send any food parcels!!!)

I have been watching very closely the latest developments in the food industry in Europe. I just wrote a report in my newsletter about the foot and mouth disease and its origin. It was traced actually back to India ten years ago from where it was transfered to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world. I am afraid that it is only a matter of time before problems like the BSE and the foot and mouth disease reach North America. They have already reached the Southern part of our hemisphere.

I strongly believe that organic farming practices will become more popular around the world as consumer willingness to pay the premium associated with such practices grows. Last year alone, organic foods sales in the UK were up by 40% and in Brazil by 50%. In a few years the question will not be organic farming or not, but organic farming or ecofarming.

Changing your menu to include products that come from organic farms (there are a lot in the UK) could reinforce consumer-client confidence. A three Michelin star chef in Paris announced last month that he will only offer vegetarian dishes at his restaurant and that all his produce will be organically grown. When the French daily Le Monde polled his clients, they found a strong support for his decision. Not only that, but his customers were excited to discover his new vegetarian creations. When asked about how they felt about paying high prices for dishes that were created with cheaper ingredients (such as vegetables are), they all responded that they were paying for his art and they felt very comfortable with this reality.

I have been a strong advocate of organic farming practices since 1979. I feel sorry that the adaptation of organic products by the majority of consumers is the result of such tragic events that have affected the lives of so many people. I hope that I was able to assist you with some ideas about how to deal with this crisis.