Remember Major Major's father in Joseph Heller's magnificent Catch 22? The more government support he received not to grow alfalfa, the more alfalfa he didn't grow and the richer he became. I was reminded of that reading an article in The Times today "EU loophole allows city "farmers" to reap millions in subsidy harvest."
It alleges people who live in cities are making vast profits out of an EU loophole which allows them to claim farm support without owning land or going nearer a farm than watching the TV show Emerdale.
The scam, exposed by Euro-sceptic group Open Europe, apparently allows some people to increase their capital nearly fivefold in five years.
FW's news team is investigating this story today - so expect to read more about it online and in Farmers Weekly on Friday.
Meanwhile, if true, it reveals what a creaky ship CAP has become. It's just this sort of anomaly that brings the system into disrepute and endangers support payments so vital for so many UK farmers.
Also the irony is almost perfect - farmers struggle to survive on meagre incomes while fat cat city investors cream off EU support payments meant for beleaguered producers. Even Major Major's father would be impressed.