The writer Jared Diamond likens all the plants and animals etc. that we share this planet with to rivets holding an aeroplane together. Those of us who understand this point are like passengers on the aeroplane who can only watch in horror as our fellow passengers knock the rivets out one by one. If we protest we get told "Huh! You care more about lousy little rivets than you do about people!"

As the spring has started here in Manchester, UK out have come the chainsaws, bulldozers and the herbicide sprays, and our dwindling stock of biodiversity is being subjected to the usual sustained attack (untidy weeds and vermin - kill, kill, kill!!). Even on my Local Nature Reserve (its official title) our most historically important plant colony (a 'Greater Manchester Biodiversity Action Plan Protected Species') has been drenched in herbicide and the Chief Warden thinks I'm an eccentric, interfering busybody just for pointing this out and asking why?

As for American bees - well it just jolly well serves them right for getting sick and not doing their bit for economic growth!