BEN SCHAZMANN,
Madam, - The sale of land for one-off housing in rural areas is a source of income for some landowners, often farmers. This practice for local or family use is needed to ensure the continuing presence of people working with the land and for the survival of rural communities.
However, it seems that many one-off houses are "sleeper" houses for commuters to urban areas. Many others are largely vacant holiday homes. The evidence that this is not good planning appears in your paper regularly and is known by economists, environmentalists and ordinary people with common sense - but few politicians.
I believe this practice (set to generate more than €800 million for landowners in the next 10 years, according to an Taisce) does not constitute love or respect for the land and so is not a farming activity. It is questionable that people who can earn five times an annual industrial salary by selling half-an-acre of land should be classified as farmers and receive State and EU funding.
These facts tarnish the current campaign image of real farmers seeking to make a decent living by using their land in a sustainable way. Politicians must face reality and enforce legislation to curb urban-generated, one-off housing in our still beautiful land. - Is mise,
BEN SCHAZMANN, Drogheda, Co Louth.