Compassion for keepers of the countryside
While much of the discussion has focussed on subsidies, we would point out that food production is essentially different from other industries because this basic requirement for life keeps us all in touch with the land, even city dwellers.
Furthermore, farmers not only produce food but also play a vital role as custodians of our rural environment.
While large-scale, industrialised food production may appear to be economically advantageous, it will remove the small and medium-scale farmers who are in the best position to look after the countryside while producing good quality, safe food to high environmental and animal welfare standards.
Mary-Anne Bartlett,
Director,
Compassion in World Farming - Ireland,
Salmon Weir,
Hanover Street,
Cork.
