Should those who chased the subsidy production cheque be the biggest CAP reform losers?

THE PACK ENQUIRY into future farm support payments has, understandably, become the principal, sometimes even the only, talking point as farmers congregate across the country.

A lot of hot air has been expended on the subject so far, but unfortunatley this has often come at the expense of reasoned debate. This only proves that many individuals - and some organisations have failed to grasp what it is all about.

For the record, those who talk of production, output, base years etc need to wake up and smell the coffee. Yes, individually, some producers - indeed areas - face a huge financial hit, but there is no escaping the fact that any historical link with production just will not be accepted by Brussels.

Brian Pack evidently recognised this and came up with the top up proposal as a possible means of alleviating the pain. But even this may not satisfy the Brussels bureaucrats.

But what is most disappointing is that, so far, right round the country there has not been enough thought put into suggesting viable alternatives. This needs to change if progress is to be made. The status quo is just not an option.

However, there is no doubt that the writing is on the wall for any of those who chased the subsidy dream by increasing stock numbers beyond the optimum and who put the size of the brown envelope cheque top of their farm income list. These producers must start to plan the re-organisation of their businesses now!