Farmers should get crisis into perspective

27 February 1998

Farmers should get crisis "into perspective"

FARMERS protests against the crisis that has hit the agriculture sector need
to be put into perspective, according to the Financial Times leader.

It claims farmers incomes are no worse today than in 1986-1988, pointing out
the industrys cyclical nature.

The rural lobby needs to understand the implicit contract underlying
relations between town and country, it says. Taxpayers foot the bill for the
countryside therefore they and the Government have the right to ask what they
are getting for their money.

• Financial Times 27/02/98 page 23 (Leader)