Sir, – There is a subliminal message in the CAP argument that rages at the moment. CAP is really to control and restrain agricultural production; it is what it was initiated for 40 years ago and must continue to do into the future and be replicated by other worldwide programmes to control and restrain all other forms of production. That is why the European Commission is so adamant about flattening out farm payments; they must under no circumstances encourage increased production. Agricultural production cannot be allowed to grow further as it already produces almost twice the amount of food needed to feed the human race.
Growth in economics is no longer needed or possible. But the economic philosophy we use to try and extricate society from this period of great economic insecurity and trauma is based on securing growth which has been a constant since the dawn of economic activity. There is no contingency plan to deal with the demise of growth and that is why the crisis gets constantly worse. The CAP was devised to control and restrict agricultural overproduction in Europe and has through quotas and payment to produce less or nothing at all achieved substantial success. The simple reality is that we no longer need or can sustain growth of production, as we are capable of and actively producing far too much already. – Yours, etc,
PADRAIC NEARY,
Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.