18 December 2007: Happy Worms

Colin Bell, an inventor in New Zealand, has come up with an eco-friendly alternative to a septic tank, in which worms do all the necessary work. But local bureaucrats objected to his design on the grounds that it was unfair to the worms, saying they might suffer psychological harm because of their diet.

Auckland Regional Council told him that before his invention could go ahead he would have to find someone with the necessary qualifications to say the worms are happy.

So Mr Bell employed a vermiculture consultant to study the worms. She concluded that, as they were in excellent health and breeding, they were clearly happy and there was nothing to be worried about.

Now his "wormorator" can be installed as planned in a local campsite.