Farne Islands

THE UK National Trust has announced that visitors won’t be able to land on the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland, at the start of the 2023 season due to fears that Avian Influenza (bird flu) will rip through the seabird colonies once more.

Last year, while the islands were off limits to wildlife enthusiasts, rangers contributed to national monitoring and research into the impacts of bird flu on the breeding populations and removed over 6,000 carcasses of birds killed by the virus.

Seabirds including the guillemot and kittiwake were impacted the most, with 3,542 and 818 dying respectively, due to the disease. These numbers are thought to be just the tip of the iceberg as many dead birds in the densely packed cliff colonies will have fallen into the sea. With the virus persisting in the wider environment and impacting wild birds throughout the winter across the UK, the conservation charity believes it is prudent to restrict access to visitors seeking to land on Inner Farne and Staple islands. However, sail ­ around tours of the islands offered by local boat operators will continue to run.

No tomatoes on pizza

ACCORDING to a recent newspaper report, Italian restaurants across the UK are faced with having to cut tomatoes from their menus. This is particularly the case with pizza and pasta dishes, due to rising prices, the report explained. Some establishments are trying to limit their use of tomatoes, while others have taken the drastic measure of removing Pasta al Pomodoro from their menus completely.

As noted by Enzo Oliveri, the chairman of the chefs’ association, the Federazione Italian Cuochi UK (FIC UK), many British restaurants could end up being forced out of business. “I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel,” he emphasised.

He pointed out that in the space of just 12 months, the price of canned tomatoes has doubled, increasing from £15 a case to £30. Similarly, he added, a box of iceberg lettuce that used to cost £7 is now £22.

Tomatoes are normally sourced from Italy, Spain or Morocco Oliveri continued. “But, because there’s a shortage everywhere, there are no tomatoes coming from anywhere.”

As a result of the crisis, some restaurants have looked at offering their clients tomato ­ less pizzas and pasta dishes. Cheeses such as ricotta, or vegetables including courgettes or aubergines are being used as a base and to thicken sauces.