Humility needed in farmland access row

I AGREE with Michael Job (Letters, July 13). Though critical of farmers, he admits that “it ... behoves us to show a degree of humility” in the ongoing debate on access to farmland.

I understand why some people are critical of farmers, but I am dismayed at how acrimonious the debate has become. Some urban people live in areas which have automatic security gates. Others lobby their public representatives to have laneways closed off because they perceive them to give access to people who indulge in anti-social behaviour or crime.

Urban complaints about farmers lobbying politicians on the issue of all-comers having access to their farms seems, therefore, to betray a lack of understanding of other people’s problems. The case made by farmers’ representatives is not totally without merit.

The issue is also wider than one of security. Ireland’s agriculture, unlike that of mainland Europe, is predominantly based on grazing livestock. Walking among livestock is a different proposition to walking among crops.

In the old days, most young cattle were fed by humans twice a day. Now many of them are reared in single suckling enterprises and have less contact with humans. A bull is normally present with these herds. In the case of sheep, dogs can do untold damage to pregnant ewes. Periodically, we have an urban versus rural row. In this one a “degree of humility” on all sides might not go amiss.

Anthony Leavy

1 Shielmartin Drive

Sutton

Dublin 13