Mrs Down's Diary

What? No longer to be denigrated? Classed as scum of the earth? Gorgers of taxpayers' millions? Creators of vast mountains of food that no-one wants?

Apparently not. Mr Cameron, our new bestest friend, thinks that as a nation we must produce more of our own food to make sure that we "reconnect with our customers".

Meanwhile, the Government and Mr Brown (who, let us not forget, has presided over a widening gap in self-sufficiency from 72 per cent of food being home-produced to now only 60 per cent) wants a rural community that is a "thriving hub of activity".

He wants farmers to work with ministers to ensure farming has a future.

Excuse me. We are already working. Physically. It's Whitehall and Defra who are lopping 17 per cent of every single farm payment to fund European and English modulation, a murky benefit that encompasses ideas such as daft advertising schemes with ageing sportsmen to promote beef and lamb, and tortuous environmental schemes and regulations for a host of penpushers.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette February 27