Letter: Past evils are not our fault

Sir: Beatrix Campbell (6 September) and subsequent correspondence on the Irish potato famine of the 1840s has reminded me of the potential for a crop disease to create social disruption and misery.

The potato blight fungus (Phytophthora infestans) remains with us and still has the capacity to devastate the entire European potato crop. Fortunately, agricultural research has lead to a better

understanding of the disease and the development of control strategies involving good husbandry and the use of fungicides. Perhaps those people who criticise modern agriculture should ensure that they do not talk with their mouths full.

Yours faithfully,

L. C. SIM

Eastbury,

Berkshire

9 September