Letters: It might be that farmers have a lot to whinge about...

ROSS CLARK'S use of half-truth ("Stop your bleating", 18 October) is worthy of the most corrupt propagandist. The truth is that, subsidies or not, British agriculture is being crucified by circumstances outside its control - the strong pound, the collapse of export markets and excessive legislation.

Most British farmers would dearly love to farm as they do in New Zealand, but consumer-driven legislation on welfare and the environment prevents them doing so. Meanwhile, the same consumers buy imported foodstuffs, bought with strong pounds, produced using methods and ingredients that would be illegal in this country. Enjoy your Dutch bacon, French beef and Antipodean lamb, Mr Clark - but don't ask too many questions. It might spoil the propaganda.

DAVID KEMP

Salisbury, Wiltshire