DENIS KENNY,
Madam, - Since it would appear that 75 to 80 per cent of EU subsidies paid to Irish farmers goes to the top 20 per cent, surely it is time for the farming movement as a whole to look for redistribution of existing subsidies rather than an overall increase. The system whereby the more you produce, the more subsidy you get, is manifestly unfair.
Commercially successful farmers, whether tillage, dairy or cattle, should not receive subsidies in any form and the consequent savings could be redistributed to the smaller, less successful farms.
The only real issue to be agreed would be the definition of "commercially successful". But are the smaller and medium-sized farmers willing to break with their more successful colleagues on this issue? So far, there is little evidence of it. - Yours, etc.,
DENIS KENNY,
Knockauns,
Thurles,
Co Tipperary.
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Madam, - Compassion in World Farming supports the farmers' call on the Government to keep farmers on the land. While much of the discussion has focused on agricultural subsidies, we would point out that food production is essentially different from other industries because this basic requirement for life keeps us all in touch with the land, even city-dwellers.
Furthermore, farmers not only produce food but also play a vital role as custodians of our rural environment. While large-scale industrialised food production may appear to be economically advantageous, it will remove the small and medium-scale farmers who are in the best position to look after the countryside while producing good quality, safe food to high environmental and animal welfare standards.
This type of farming should attract a decent and fair income in recognition that it protects our valuable rural environment and ensures that agricultural production can be sustained in the long term. - Yours, etc.,
MARY-ANNE BARTLETT,
Director, Compassion in
World Farming - Ireland,
Hanover Street,
Cork.
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Madam, - I suggest the tractors now heading for Dublin should be stopped and tested for green or agricultural diesel. They should also be checked to see how many have current road tax. - Yours, etc.,
FRANK FOLAN,
Culmore Road,
Palmerstown.
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Madam, - More power to the farmers. But do they have to plough up the language with that monstrous neologism "tractorcade"? - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL SHERIDAN,
Ballybrack,
Co Dublin.