Straitjacket from head to toe

FARMERS' fears of being straitjacketed by EU regulations may not look too far-fetched next month, when Brussels starts the process of making rules for the very ground farmers walk on.

Publication of the European Commission's proposal for a Soil Protection Strategy is expected in November.

Never mind that there is already a wide range of EU agricultural and environmental measures for soil protection; Brussels sees a need for additional legislation.