I just came across this story on the BBC website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/6646083.stmI can't see any reference to it on here through the search facility, but apologies if it has indeed been posted before.
http://www.york.gov.uk/news/latestNews/PR1742 is so po-faced that it's funny. York Council say, amongst other things, that:
"Both the council and the HPA would like to stress that these measures are precautionary and reflect the sort of common sense approach that applies to all gardeners.
- Hands should be washed after handling soil, particularly before eating, drinking or washing.
- Where possible, gloves should be worn when gardening and gathering produce.
- Fruit and vegetables should be washed and, where practical, peeled before eating to remove any attached soil.
- Extra care should be taken when children visit the allotments - this means preventing them from putting soil or dirty fingers and toys in their mouths, and ensuring that they wash any exposed skin after playing in the soil.
- Care should be taken to avoid carrying soil from the allotments into homes on dirty shoes and clothes.
- It would preferable if bonfires were not lit on the allotments. However, any allotment holders who do choose to have a bonfire on their plot should try to make sure that it is away from their growing area and not dig ash into the soil.
- Anyone who comes across something in the soil that gives them cause for concern should contact Jason Drake, the council's contaminated land officer, immediately on 551533."
Unbelievable. The Elfin Safety Nazis are at it again!
I don't know about you chaps, but I often come across things in the soil that give me cause for concern. Slugs, mostly. :( I'll give old Jason a bell next time, eh?
