Farming contributes only 0.6% to the Gross Domestic Product of the UK and involves around 138,000 full-time farmers and around 150,000 part-time farmers. The huge proportion of the UK occupied by this very small number of people, the vast total cash value of that land, and the imbalance between the huge investment that this represents and the actual value of the goods produced, probably would not bear critical examination by any level-headed businessman, which may explain the assumption that we, you and me, through our taxation, should support some of the richest and most privileged people in the country via some form of farming subsidy. Maybe the BBC, showing either one or two farming programmes every day on their two main channels, are trying to give us value for our money while also acknowledging that we have some kind of moral stake in land that soaks up so much of our taxes. Then there are the regular farming programmes on the radio, at least two every day if you count the Archers. A lot of us must be tuning in to this stuff. Maybe all those children’s books about farms where the animals lead such unusually long and happy lives lead us all to see farming programmes as a source of comfort and reassurance.
Health warning…not to be read on an empty stomach! So that was proper paramedic-black humour Richard.
I love your tongue in cheek writing style Richard. It's a great way to make your point.