Sir, - Medb Ruane's column of August 25th, "Farm culture on its way to being a thing of the past", was nostalgic, poetic and challenging. It underscored the fact that farmers, food, agriculture and rural Ireland belong to us all, because of the money and sense of place invested in this delicate web of sectoral interdependency.
In stark terms, if farmers disappear, whether full-time or part-time, then our environment crumbles and an invaluable resource of creativity and independent thinking vanishes as well.
This complex and productive sector:
supports over 3,000 jobs in this country;
is the basis of a modern food industry, exporting to almost 200 countries;
is the backbone of local economies, with the majority of farms turnover being spent locally;
sustains an environment that we are all proud to enjoy;
and cares for our nations livestock 365 days a year.
Such a massive resource is too valuable to lose and requires constant and vigorous defence at political, administrative and planning levels. The plan of 200 points from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is a targeting mechanism. Let's make sure it hits the bull's-eye. - Yours, etc.
John McCullen, Chairman, Agri Aware. Old Naas Road, Dublin 12.