The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has achieved precisely what its creators wanted: a huge increase in food production.
The number of pigs and sheep in Britain more than doubled between 1950 and 2000 (since when they have fallen slightly) as did the land area devoted to wheat.
Though the CAP has been good for many farmers, the environment has suffered: large, unbroken fields are inhospitable to many kinds of wildlife. The zealous eradication of weeds and the move from spring to autumn planting of wheat means little food is available for scavengers in winter.
The number of pigs and sheep in Britain more than doubled between 1950 and 2000 (since when they have fallen slightly) as did the land area devoted to wheat.