CIARAN DOLAN,
Madam, - Alan Matthews (December 2nd) has consistently advocated a free market approach presumably because he thinks that this would be to the benefit not just of Irish agriculture, but European and world agriculture.
The consistency in his advocacy is matched only by his persistent failure to put forward one single shred of evidence that further free trade would safeguard Ireland's interests and would improve world food supply, trade and security. Prof Matthews makes a number of comments that, somehow in this regard, the activity of the farm organisations is suspect or subversive of the common good.
What is required is fairer trade, not free trade. This view, thankfully is gaining momentum among the more informed commentators on international trade.
Irish academics who seek to speak out, and those who do not, must address these important issues realistically. In order that they can ground their comments on reality, would they like to have their salaries determined by the going rate in developing countries while still living in Ireland? If not, then why are they advocating this economic and income framework for farmers and the food sector? - Yours, etc.,
CIARAN DOLAN, General Secretary, ICMSA, Dublin Road, Limerick.