Michelle’s green garden upsets pesticide makers

Michelle Obama's decision to create an organic vegetable plot at the White House has ruffled feathers in America's powerful agribusiness lobby. The 1,100 sq ft vegetable garden, featuring 55 kinds of vegetables, herbs and berries, and two beehives for pollination, is the first at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt called on Americans to join her in "digging for victory" during World War II, so that US farmers could concentrate on supplying food to allied forces.

Mrs Obama's aim is to promote awareness of fresh food and diet issues in a country beset by an obesity epidemic, and highlight the importance of "green living". "A real, delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things you'll ever eat," she announced.

But her good intentions have caused consternation in some circles. Soon after the organic vegetable plot was inaugurated – with the help of local Washington schoolchildren - Mrs Obama received a letter from the Mid-America CropLife Association (MACA), which represents pesticide and fertiliser companies, extolling the virtues of "crop protection products".

While not explicitly mentioning pesticides or fertilisers, and tip-toeing round the concept of organic gardening, the letter states: "Technology in agriculture has allowed for the development of much of what we know and use in our lives today. If Americans were still required to farm to support their family's basic food and fibre needs, would the US have been leaders in the advancement of science, communication, education, medicine, transportation and the arts?"

It was left to Bonnie McCarvel, the MACA executive director, to hammer home the point in an e-mail to MACA supporters and members. "While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made (us) shudder," she wrote.