DANNY HASKINS,
Madam, - As a dairy farmer I support the ending of subsidised exports of dairy and meat products to third-world countries. This may seem like a turkey voting for Christmas but, as Alan Matthews says (December 2nd), it is better to prepare for change than wait for it.
A far-reaching reform of EU agriculture is needed. Aid to farmers should be tied to social and environmental factors, not production. In return, Irish farmers should campaign for the ending of quotas (dairy, suckler and sheep) that limit their income.
Dairy and beef prices are the same as they were in the 1980s. Accounting for inflation, they have fallen by a over a third.
No wonder farmers moan. But they do not see change as opportunity. Our wonderful wet, mild climate would allow Ireland to increase production to compensate for the "alleged" drop in prices if production quotas and subsidies were removed.
Of course a commission should be established to map out food and agriculture policy. And of course the axis of the IFA, the Department of Agriculture and the food industry axis must not be in a majority on this.
Will this happen? Methinks not. - Yours, etc.,
DANNY HASKINS,
Oatlands,
Wicklow,
Co Wicklow.