HOW ridiculous for the Skipper to suggest that the UK farmers predicament is in part due to the importation of New Zealand meat and talking about environmental issues. I presume it's okay for VLCC tankers to be transporting crude oil halfway around the world to ultimately end up by producing more pollution.

Meat has been coming from NZ since the advent of reefer shipping and along with meat wool, butter apples, etc. I worked on ships in this trade, which prior to the 1970's was the lifeline for the exchange of goods from both countries. Everything this country could manufacture was being imported to NZ, cars, knives and forks from Sheffield, Dunlop tyres and hundreds of other goods.

I well recall in 1949 this country was producing more food per acre than any other country in the world, even though NZ produce was coming in large quantities, ration cards were still the order of the day. Incidentally British lamb and NZ lamb peak at opposite seasons. There never was any clash in that industry.

The problems of the present day farming, fishing and industrial collapse started the day Ted Heath (after many NONs from De Gaulle) joined the EC, agreeing to the French version of the Common Agriculture Policy. Britain turned its back on world markets, Australia, Canada, South Africa, India, and NZ, to name just a few and linked up with European countries producing the same goods as itself. Hence the demise of shipbuilding, etc. In spite of assurances given at the time we all know now that the EC was in fact the starting point of the European Union where Britain is now out voted on CAP and fishing issues, putting restraint on farmers and fishermen until their existence becomes near impossible. What nonsense when a farmer produces a pint of milk over his quota is punished while at the same time this country is compelled to buy 15 to 20% of milk from France. To belong to this wonderful EU club is costing the British taxpayer £30 million a day in cash Just one last comment, Skipper - go to the Domain in Auckland, NZ, and have a look at the hundreds of feet of marble walls and see the thousands of names of men from Auckland and surrounding areas alone who gave their lives in both wars to aid this country's freedom. More soldiers' percent of population were killed on behalf of your ever-diminishing freedom than any other country in the world. Yet it's now easier for Eastern Europeans to enter Britain than a Kiwi.

NZ meat has every right to be on UK shelves but for sure it is greatly over priced.

Mr D J Stephens, Camborne (full address supplied)