Farmers face double-whammy of income cut and production rises
There are concerns over the future of agricultural policy as a whole but for a county like Shropshire these are especially relevant and the danger is that the infrastructure of the county and its reliance on agriculture will be overshadowed by the catastrophic loss of revenue that dissolution of the City of London’s financial activity will cause.
Approximately 75 per cent of the UK’s food exports go the EU and tariff walls will endanger this. EU subsidies are about 55 per cent of farmers’ incomes. So farmers may well face a loss of export income combined with a doubling of production cost.
A problem in itself, but what worries me is that the issue is not being fully discussed by the Press or government. My own opinion is that when savings have to be made agricultural subsidies will be first to go. It has been said before in the corridors of power.
Come on farmers and producers, get going on this. How about small car window and bumper stickers showing support for Shropshire produce? A few “Buy Shropshire” stickers in the shops and their windows maybe? Anything better than this silence.
I have just been told that that Owen Paterson “does nothing for his parishioners”. Really? There’s a bloke welded to the land professionally and in his private life. His only fault is that he tends to hide his contributions in a number of areas, agriculture being one.
I had an issue he solved without fuss or bother or publicity.
There was a rumour that the UK was about to buy Boeing aircraft for Royal and Ministerial transport. I mentioned this to my brother who, as an Airbus employee, said: “That’s all that they talk about in board meetings.” It was a major issue at the time and things were turning nasty for the future of company activity in the UK. I mentioned this to Mr Paterson, as he was at the time Shadow Minister of Transport. Very swiftly the relevant people were contacted and a letter from the Minister of Transport was sourced by Mr Paterson saying the rumours were “a pack of lies”. My brother photocopied and circulated this to the chairman and the board. Problem solved.
It was mentioned that had I set myself up as an aircraft broker it may have been possible to claim credit and commission for resultant sales. A few million quid I believe. Maybe even enough to settle my brother’s “White Hart” beer tab? I did get a nice hat though. Plus some fridge magnets and a keyring.
Like I keep saying “It does what it says on the tin” Paterson.
Robin Lloyd, Ellesmere
