READERS LETTERS
READERS LETTERS
Shortsighted to condemn Europe
The sun never sets on the British Empire. Well farmers of Britain, it has, so wake up and smell the French cuisine. As a farmer from the Republic of Ireland, working less than 100ha (250 acres), I am astounded by some of the comments made by UK farmers.
As a regular Farmers weekly subscriber, I have read in disbelief their condemnation of the EU, its members and its policies. On the other hand, many appear to worship everything American. Bigger is better, the US farmers cried, freedom to farm they begged and free trade for us, their banner screamed out.
Many British farmers rallied round and echoed those enthusiastic cries. To hell with the EU, give us free trade and we too can be the rich fat cats of the global agricultural world.
Now ask yourselves this, how many wealthy American farmers do you know? Is it the 15,000 acre arable farmer in the mid-west, who has to drive a school bus to make a living? The pig farmer from Iowa, who must stack shelves in his local supermarket every night so he can feed his family? Or is it one of the tens of thousands, who, in recent decades, have just walked away from the family farm, never to work in agriculture again?
Meanwhile, back in the much maligned and hated EU, the picture is not so bleak. In Ireland, we do not chastise or show disrespect to our fellow EU partners. Instead we agree with and at times heap praise on its workings. For it is the EU and its policies which allow us to remain in business today. Imagine if you openly condemned and criticised your local bank manager at every moment possible, could you really expect a welcoming reception when approaching him with your next business venture?
The French and I suspect, most other EU partners now see British agriculture on the rack, and Im sure are deriving wonderful satisfaction from dishing out a piece of the "whos boss?" psychology.
So perhaps the lesson to be ascertained from this exercise is not so much bite the hand that feeds you but rather to appease, work with, be part of a greater, a stronger and a louder EU. Hell, you are down now – things can only improve!
Fergus Healy,
John Street, Tullow, Co Carlow, Republic of Ireland.
Back turned on rural plight
I refer to two recent articles in FW. Ben Gill stated "It is remarkable and unacceptable that, in todays so-called caring society, the government can simply turn its back on the desperate situation (in farming) by claiming there is nothing that can be done (News, Nov 19). And David Richardson (Nov 25) who said "Nor could I forget the leaked memos from the Treasury to MAFF which indicated there would be no more cash for agriculture no matter how serious the crisis in the industry."
Mr Richardson also said, "Agriculture has been written off it appears. The quicker it is put out of its misery the better, the policy probably goes. That will allow the government to be seen to be backing winners and eliminating losers."
Certainly the government is congratulating itself on its successful management of the economy, but there is never any mention of the chronic economic situation facing many people living in rural areas.
However, I believe that there are two relatively painless measures which the government should take which would not upset the minions in the Treasury. First, is that all foods sold to consumers should clearly state the country of origin as accurately as possible. There should be a clear statement as to how standards of production compare to British food which is produced to such high welfare and safety standards.
Second, government could instruct the Bank of England to make a substantial reduction in interest rates. It is a ridiculous situation that the £ continues to appreciate in value against the euro at a time when the UK is incurring such a large deficit in its balance of payments. The government should also publish a monthly guide as to the current position of imports and exports of a range of commonly used food products.
Arnold Pennant
Nant Gwilym, Tremeirchion, St Asaph.
Gills arguments are nonsense
Having read NFU president Ben Gills comments (Talking Point, Nov 19) I wonder if he actually writes this economic mumbo-jumbo or sub-contracts it to some pseudo-Marxist economics student, left-over from the 70s.
No wonder the government ignores him. He basically says that current low levels of inflation are bad and that "the Chancellor should charge his staff with an urgency of the highest priority to resolve the issue".
Nobody in their right mind is going to listen to that argument. He goes on to say, "the Treasury is dominated solely by balancing the books". Should it then run a deficit? Surely not? He would also like to see a massive devaluation of the £ in relation to the euro, which would cost the country £bns; it would be an economic catastrophe.
In addition he says that the "particular problems of the German and French economies can be only a minor consideration".
Despite all attempts to stimulate growth through low interest rates; unemployment grows and the most recent IMF report shows a downturn in growth and productivity in Europe. His underlying argument, although not stated, would draw you to believe that British agriculture would be better off with the euro.
British agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP. As a nation we pay far more into the CAP than we get back. If we were to regain control of agricultural policy, Britain as a wealthy country could easily afford to support agriculture and the rural economy in ways that would be supported by the taxpayer, but not by surrendering our democracy to a European superstate.
Roger Lord
G & M Lord & Son, Pilgrims Barn, Weeley Road, Great Bentley, Colchester, Essex.
France looks after No 1
FW claims that the French are unreliable (Opinion, Nov 20). I would submit that they are anything but. The French can be relied on every time to put their national interest first. If that means resorting to dodges, technical or otherwise, in order to keep British beef off their shelves, or out of their export markets, for just a few more days – then so be it.
Similarly, I would disagree that our beef problem can be resolved by punitive EU fines. France has an unwritten policy and an unbroken record of not paying EU fines. Whether £m in respect of illegal subsidies to Air France and Credit Lyonnaise, or £70,000/day the EU imagines it is currently levying over the refusal of the French government to defy its "sportsmen" and apply a closed season on migrating song birds – nothing will be paid.
President Chirac claims that the EU is now finally being run according to the French blueprint. With France grabbing a quarter of the EU farm budget (which itself accounts for almost 50% of all EU spending) and a Frenchman about to take the floor as EU negotiator at the forthcoming WTO talks, one sees his point.
I would urge UK farmers to ask their leaders some serious questions about where they think the EU is going. Or, more precisely, where it is taking British agriculture. Do they really believe that Britain as a net contributor to the EU will not be even worse off when countries like Poland and Hungary practically double the EUs agriculture sector overnight?
Tony Stone
1 Home Park, Oxted, Surrey.
Government is worst enemy
After reading the views of Christopher Gill, MP for one of Britains premier farming areas (Talking Point, Oct 29) I can only commiserate with his farming constituents. I bought my farm in 1953 not 1972 and soon formed the opinion that my worst enemy was the British government, whatever its political flavour. I have not seen fit to change my view since. I was delighted when Britain joined the Common Market as a result of the failure of EFTA, but it soon became clear that the government would twist it if it could in favour of the City and the Americans, which is exactly what has happened.
Does Mr Gill think we were all born yesterday? Who is profiting with the pound at 10.30 Francs and 3.05 Deutschmarks, the traders with their share portfolios roaring ahead, or the makers of real goods, up against high export prices and subsidised imports? When the pound fell out of the EMS on what the City called Black Wednesday it was far from black for farmers. The pound fell from 10.15 Francs to 7.60, a 25% drop, a breath of life for real industries. I notice the continuous complaints about Brussels Directives in your pages, which is hardly surprising because MAFF always interprets them in the most mischievous and vexatious manner possible.
G G A Crisp
Le Mesnil de Benneville, 14240 Cahagnes, France.
Single currency not the answer
There appears to be a widespread belief, particularly among agriculturalists, that if Britain was to join the single currency it would be able to do so at a rate to suit itself.
This is simply not the case.
The rate at which the UK would be allowed to join the single currency would be as set out in Article 109L (5) of the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) which states:
"the Council shall, acting with the unanimity of the Member States without a derogation (ie the member countries of the single currency) and the Member State concerned, (in this case, the UK) on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the ECB, adopt the rate at which the ECU (now the euro) shall be substituted for the currency of the Member State Concerned, and take the other measures necessary for the introduction of the ecu as the single currency in the Member State concerned".
That was confirmed to me in a letter from the Governor of the Bank of England and in a letter from Lord Simon of Highbury, in his then capacity as minister for trade and competitiveness in Europe.
It is therefore beyond doubt that the possibility of setting a rate at which to enter the single currency to suit our own national interest has never existed and that those who say otherwise delude both themselves and the people they represent.
Furthermore, common sense tells us that the other member states are not likely to agree a rate which gives Great Britain and Northern Ireland an in-built competitive advantage.
On the question of the alleged strength of sterling, it helps to get things into perspective by recognising that the current US$ exchange rate is within cents of the $1.66 to the £ appertaining in November 1996. In other words, against the worlds major currency, the £ has neither strengthened nor weakened for a significant number of years.
Far from having strengthened, the £ has simply maintained its parity against the $ while those countries now in Euroland have caused their currencies to weaken as they destabilised their economies in pursuit of convergence.
Christopher Gill RD MP
House of Commons, London.
A small mixed farm is ideal
I was struck by Hugh Sheldons comments about living off the land (Letters, Oct 1). I think that his attitude merits some investigation, but I question his insistence on thermal underwear and a nap after lunch.
Years ago I read a book on agricultural economics which maintained that the best upbringing for a child was a small mixed farm. I think at the time 250 acres was mentioned, which was based on an American model. Smaller was considered to be too near the realms of poverty and bigger farms were associated with stress and modern business where the participants became disconnected from the fundamentals.
During the university vacations I always remember working on a small Somerset farm that fitted the bill. The farmers general policy was to earn just enough money so that he did not pay tax. The farm itself was distinctly varied and the lifestyle verged on idyllic. I realise that it was also very hard work and indebtedness comes into the equation.
The farmer, in his 80s, died recently. He was still milking cows. All his sons now run farms on a basis that does not differ too much from their fathers ideology. They have given up more lucrative professions and have reverted to this simple economy.
Though not seeing things through rose tinted glasses, I do believe that the small farmers and builders have something the rest of us desire. They have independence and a degree of control over their destiny.
Tom Heath
73 Chesson Road, West Kensington, London.
Make up your mind Malton
Malton Foods really does take the biscuit (Business, Nov 12). It tells us that it is importing increasing quantities of pork because UK supplies have reduced. A year ago it said the reason for low pig prices was oversupply of UK product.
It appears Malton is large enough and ruthless enough to have its cake and eat it. The truth is that as a company responsible for slaughtering and marketing 30% of the pigs produced in the UK, Malton Foods has no regard for the long-term future of the UK pig industry. Instead, it prefers to buy as cheaply as possible from the rest of Europe and possibly elsewhere, while still insisting on a welfare code for UK produced pigs which is impossible to finance given the economic circumstances which are dictated by Malton.
The UK pig industry has reduced its production from more than 300,000 pigs/week to about 270,000 pigs/week and prices are now pegged low by the cheap imports that are making up the difference.
Our pig industry is in terminal decline and the wholesale and retail markets are placing their long term future on increasing levels of imports.
That is their decision but do not blame the UK pig producer (or production levels); UK pig producers are the victims of decisions made by Malton Foods and others like it.
Philip Robins
Great Shelford, Cambridge, philip.marion@paston.co.uk
Let growers get on with the job
These past few years we have heard some very contradictory statements from some farmers and millers about the benefits and drawbacks of joining ACCS.
Some of the enthusiasts tell us all grain must be assured and traceable, but millers do not think twice about buying imported grain which often lacks any assurances or traceability.
Mr Calver of ACCS (Arable, Nov 5) told millers in Milan that UK assurance protocols ensure grain receives approved pesticides only. I can tell him that all farmers, ACCS members or not, use only approved pesticides and herbicides for their crops. With new chemicals always coming along advice from a BASIS-qualified chemical rep or agronomist is essential.
Another strange thing Mr Calver said was, if you are buying a cargo of assured UK grain, each load going on to that vessel will have records going back to the field. Imagine trying to keep records of each load going into a bulk store at harvest, then knowing which field it comes from four month later. The mind boggles.
Assuming the impossible, what would it mean to an overseas buyer of 10,000t of bulk grain from about 50 farms? Banks Mr Adams says almost the same thing.
I am sure that when Banks buy wheat they would have a record of the farmer concerned. In many cases the company would have sold that farmer agrochemical and advised on its use.
UK farmers should be allowed to produce to the highest standards which are, to quote former NFU president Sir David Naish, the best in the world.
But millers and merchants are doing very well so would they get off our backs and allow us to ride this severe slump that we are experiencing in farming at the moment.
E W Bell
Terrington St Clement, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
Duty-bound to publish facts
The HGCA Quality Survey (Arable, Nov 19) has an excellent track record for reliability and accuracy. This year, after the very variable harvest of 1999, the results of the survey have not agreed with various trade opinions on quality.
The HGCA Quality Survey is based on sound, statistically valid sampling techniques. The HGCA is duty-bound to publish the results, regardless of trade opinion. To agree to "establish a united message" with the trade (Opinion, Nov 19) when the results show a difference would undermine completely HGCAs reputation for independence.
Despite much poor quality wheat there does seem to be a reasonable proportion of milling wheat from the 1999 harvest that meets quality requirements. This explains the easing back in milling premiums from harvest highs. It is essential that this wheat is identified by farmers, kept separate, marketed for a realistic premium and not written off as poor quality.
HGCA will review the survey results when the final quality is known and will then consult with the trade over sampling procedures.
Our aim is to improve continually the service provided to farmers and trade and to ensure everyone has absolute confidence in the results achieved.
Marie Skinner
Norfolk farmer and chairman, HGCA Market Information, Caledonia House, 223 Pentonville Road, London.