Potential to grow

PAUL MILLS (Feb 3) is correct when he refers to the opportunities for the agri-food sector in this country as the global population increases.

However, it is worth pointing out that it was decided to phase out set aside in 2005 and it no longer exists. As part of the 2003 CAP reform process, policymakers decided that farmers should respond to market signals and plan their farm enterprises accordingly.

While the potential of the sector to grow is undoubted, primary producers will respond only if a margin can be made by them. If the margin exists, then they will, in the words of Paul Mills, proceed with “growing stuff”.