Madam, - I am puzzled by Oxfam spokesman Colin Roche's letter (Dec 15th) in which he states that the EU deal on agriculture "is a betrayal of promises to give the poorest countries unlimited access to Europe's markets". In the same edition Con Lucey is complaining that Brazil and Argentina will put not alone Irish producers out of business but also those of the poorest countries. Despite trade restrictions Brazil and Argentina have had the highest growth in agricultural production in the world since 1945.
It seems to follow that they are the ones that will gain most from trade liberalisation in agriculture. It is possible that they will do this at the expense not alone of Europe but also of the poorest countries. Oxfam's advocacy of free trade, therefore, may not have the effect that they claim it will have. - Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Dublin 13.