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


Westprog wrote:

Falcon wrote:
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.
[..]

For an example of the consequences of abolishing farm subsidies, look at
New Zealand.

Interesting. I'm close to being persuaded. Should I hold out for more discussion, or adopt the SCI approach and start slagging people off? http://www.newfarm.org/features/0303/newzealand_subsidies.shtml


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



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