Bigyin wrote on Jul 28^th, 2013 at 2:53pm:

I quite agree to an extent.  Four hectares would require approx 800m of fencing (plus gates).  Based on what it cost me to fence off my veg patch (60m only 1m high) plus gates, footings and labour, it's a non starter. I only planted 92 olive trees and protecting them is very cheap but again, more work.  I've also protected my fruit trees. Most of the olive and orange fields which are farmed commercially are not fenced but newly planted trees are protected.  Mature olives aren't a problem but the critters still ring bark mature citrus. I don't want to keep dogs as I feel that they are vulnerable to all sorts of hazards out here especially if allowed to roam free as they would have to be to be effective.  The commercial fields are in the main away from the farmers dwelling and so dogs would not be a solution in that case either. Does anyone have any strong feelings about shooting rats ?  ::)

I don't wish to take you to task again Bigyin but making wild murderess threats to one of the greatest TV stars ever to be exported from the U.K. Roland Rat whose signed tea mug takes pride of place on my mantelpiece I would request you remove this threat as after reading your post Roland had to take two valium to calm his artistic nerves and is now under therapy.
Yours a concerned rodent following Bulldog.