The Soil Association could become one of the most influential organisations in British agriculture. But it is facing fury over directors' interests and the suppression of new research. Andy Rowell reports.

The bulk of the world's drug deals are not done secretively in dark alleyways or noisy nightclubs but involve government-approved drugs prescribed by doctors or bought over the counter in pharmacies and supermarkets.

Andy Rowell, 19 August 2003

Article originally appeared in The Guardian

Science, people used to say, is the simple pursuit of knowledge. But this is no longer true. Commercial interests are taking over our universities, and intense economic and political pressures are put on scientists to pursue research that offers raw economic results. 

When Henry McLeish resigned last week as First Minister the Scottish press were quickly blamed for precipitating his downfall. In the aftermath some claimed rather hysterically that a media witch-hunt had led to McLeish’s demise. This interpretation of events certainly bears little resemblance to the slow unfolding of the ‘Officegate’ drama.