11.   For decades British farmers have been feeding their cattle, who are of course herbivores, protein supplements in the form of sheep brains, spine and other parts.

12.   Ian Gardiner, vice president of the National Farmers Union, disputes the claim that so-called intensive farming is responsible for the slew of disasters to befall British farmers.

13.   Moreover, within the past three years four British farmers, all of whom apparently had contact with BSE-infected cows, have died of CJD.

14.   On Wednesday, Blair told Parliament that the government would do all it can to ease the blow to British farmers.

15.   One theory gaining prominence is that of British organic farmer Mark Purdey, a longtime campaigner against organo-phosphate pesticides.

16.   One plan being considered by the government came from the National Farmers Union, the main body representing British farmers.

17.   Since when did the highly urban, British tabloid newspapers and their mostly urban readers care a stuffed turnip for the genuine problems of British farmers?

18.   There are real issues here but they are not truly issues of Britain versus France, or British farmers versus French farmers, or British consumers versus French consumers.

19.   Things got so bad for British farmers this week that some are saying there must be a conspiracy to put them out of business.

20.   With thousands of animals being slaughtered, their carcasses burnt on pyres, the future looks bleak for British farmers.