The peasants are revolting

RURAL development is at centrefield after the EU constitution No votes, particularly so after the French No.

Many French farmers have chosen to eke out their livings on marginal land - like goat farmer Jose Bove who, in his reaction to the globalisation of farming, has become the country’s anti-capitalist hero.

Small farmers in France believe the EU is destroying the social fabric of their regions, and that the constitution which they voted against would have delivered the death blow.