Farm incomes way behind other sectors

IN reply to Colin Hayes (Irish Examiner letters, January 19), it never ceases to amaze me how PAYE workers claim the credit when a company is making a profit, but when making a loss, it is caused by bad management.

If a farmer was paid for 10 cows when he only had eight, would Mr Hayes agree that department officials weren't doing their jobs?

Farm incomes increased by 25% between 1990 and 2002 all other incomes increased by 200%, so the grants aren't all that good.

In 1973, when we entered the EEC, people spent 33% of their incomes on food. Now they only spend 13%. The PAYE sector are doing well. If we could get the 20% back, PAYE taxpayers could 'shove' their subsidies.

I don't mind if farmers have to fend for themselves if the EU abolishes the unemployment benefit system which is a subsidy for PAYE workers because it removes labour from the jobs market.

Thomas Herlihy

Oakfront

Newtown

Charleville

Co Cork.