Food for thought

How very thoughtful of George Lyon (Farming, 14 May) to prod Holyrood about "single farm payments" to the undeserving only a few decades after it became clear that 90 per cent of the European Union's agricultural subsidies go to fewer than 20 per cent of recipients, many of whom are not involved in agriculture at all.

How diligent of him, indeed, to commence his campaign when the SFP claimants whom he is seeking to disqualify are genuine small-scale farmers who have merely passed "retirement age".

No doubt, the EU – which is desperately trying to save money after another large increase in its budget – will be suitably grateful.

ANDREW REED

Steenweg op Waver

Belgium