Letter: Weeds are taking over

Sir: The 'sting in the tail' of today's article on the EC's arable farm policy (19 July) lies in the sentence 'provided there is an obligation on the farmer to cut back weeds regularly and till the soil'.

If I stand up at this moment I see, beyond my back-garden fence and a well-husbanded field, a sea of bright yellow. No, it is not oil-seed rape at this time of year, but ragwort, a vigorous prolific weed that, with thistles and hogweed, has taken over neglected set-aside land. It is a menace to the farmers around and will probably lead to the need for yet more herbicides.

Without strict control I fear the now rare plants mentioned are likely to suffer strangulation and smothering rather than revival.

Yours sincerely,

E. M. NEVE

Ashford, Kent

19 July