Re: "Ninety-eight per cent of farm income now comes from EU direct payments"


Eddie Wall wrote:

You have to wonder why farming is seen as so important to Ireland's
economy by our public representatives. [...]

Farming is important on this side of the Irish Sea too. Farming subsidies are probably the most unpopular aspect of EU policy, but the fact is that modern, efficient farming methods and an unwillingness to see food prices rise dramatically, coupled with the ready availability of cheap imports, means that in order to keep the land farmed, massive subsidies are needed throughout Europe.

It's easy to say "sod 'em", but the effect on the countryside we all love would be absolutely devastating if these people did go out of business. Who would trim the hedgerows for a start? And without animal farming and cultivation, who else is going to keep the hogweed at bay? It may sound a little flippant, but the land needs to be managed in order to provide nice landscapes for Eugene to snap away at. After all, who wants to live in a wilderness?

--
Falcon:
fide, sed cui vide. (L)



.

Relevant Pages