Just the tonic

to the English Government’ and worries that, post-brexit, new legislation could be ‘imposed on an ignorant public’.

Organic farmer and entrepreneur William Kendall agrees that there’s nothing wrong with GM in principle, but the problem is that we’ve dallied too long over it and we’re now debating something that’s woefully out of date. He cites Uganda as a place where GM was put to good use, but says that, ‘now, GM is irrelevant and there are many better alternatives’.

‘I am also opposed to agriculture being in the hands of the few,’ continues Mr Kendall, ‘and I am critical of anything that is designed to benefit the seller of the technology rather than the user, the wider economy and the public. Sadly, most GM, so far, falls into the former category, which is bad news for the honourable scientists who are working for a greater good and getting tarnished by the bad will caused by short-term commercial interests.’

AFIERY limited-edition gin, distilled during the exact four days that the Great Fire of London raged (September 2–5), albeit 350 years later, will be launched tomorrow by Portobello Road Gin.

Juniper berries were handsmoked in peat dug by company founder Ged Feltham at his home in Co Kerry. Operations then moved to Portobello Road, W11, where 11 botanicals, including fiery chipotle and Lapsang Souchong tea, were used to distill 1,000 bottles of Director’s Cut No.02, The Smoky Gin (above, £25, www.portobelloroadgin.com).

In December, Portobello Road Gin will unveil The Distillery, the new production site for the brand, which will house The Ginstitute, a gin-making experience that includes a bar, gin shop and boutique guest rooms.