Sir, – There is no doubt the horticulture sector is under pressure, and the decline in vegetable growers is a concern (“We’re only ever nine meals away from anarchy. That risk is no longer just theoretical,” Opinion, April 18th). But the argument that this leaves Ireland somehow uniquely food insecure presents a very selective view of how our food system and economy actually work.
Ireland produces far more food than it consumes. We are highly efficient at producing milk and beef from grass, which reflects our climate and land. Exporting that food is not a flaw, it is the logical outcome of what we are good at.
Trade underpins everything. We import what we cannot produce efficiently and export what we can. We do not make most of our clothes or shoes. We import wine, coffee, spices and the ingredients for everyday foods, yet nobody calls that a crisis. Food is no different.
The idea that we could replace imports with domestic vegetable production ignores reality. Vegetable growing is labour intensive, and Irish labour costs are high. Growers are competing with southern Spain and eastern Europe, where labour is cheaper and the growing season is longer. Supermarkets will always source at the lowest price, which Irish growers often cannot match.
RM Block
Even then, vegetable production here still relies on imported fuel, fertiliser and inputs. It does not make us self-sufficient.
There are real risks in relying on imported inputs, and those deserve attention. But presenting Ireland as especially exposed because we export dairy and beef while importing vegetables is misleading. It is how modern economies operate.
If we want more domestic vegetable production then we should be honest about the cost. It will mean higher prices or greater support – or both.
Ireland’s food system is not perfect, but it is grounded in economic reality, not illusion. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL O’CONNELL,
Ballydurn,
Co Waterford.
Sir, – In his article on food security, Mick Kelly calls for a universal basic income for vegetable growers. We have seen the positive impact of a basic income for the arts, partial and imperfect as it is.
Similarly, it is not difficult to see how a universal and unconditional basic income would benefit small growers and, through this, our wider society. We can look back on the benefits to society of the Children’s Allowance, introduced in 1944, much more parlous times.
Basic Income Ireland has shown how a such a basic income can be implemented now, for every individual in the State, in a manner that is fiscally neutral. Under this model, six out of seven people would benefit financially, with those on lower income benefiting most. All of us would benefit from the security provided and the creativity and entrepreneurship that would be unleashed.
We believe this would be an excellent investment in our people in these uncertain times, including rapid changes in technology. We call for the immediate introduction of a universal and unconditional basic income: a beautiful idea whose time has come. – Yours, etc,
BOBBY LAMBERT,
Joint co-ordinator,
Basic Income Ireland.
