NOW that fuel for motor cars is now available in Malvern again it is worth reflecting on the real cause of the crisis for local farmers.

Six of the seven leaders of the blockade of fuel depots were farmers protesting at the high cost of fuel. In fact the cost of fuel was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The real problem is the high cost of the pound, which makes their produce far too expensive in the single European market. This has occurred because New Labour has pursued largely Tory policies in controlling inflation by using interest rates rather than taxation policy. This has caused the pound to soar in value with disastrous consequences for farmers and for industry.

On Thursday members of the chamber of commerce meeting in Malvern were presented with a consultative document from the national policy department. This suggested the formation of a fiscal policy committee to fix tax rates and suggested that the government had got the balance wrong. In effect the authors of the paper appear to agree with Liberal Democrat thinking that higher direct taxes (replacing some indirect taxes and higher interest rates) is better for the long-term wealth of the country.

MIKE HADLEY, West Worcestershire Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, Worcester Road, Malvern.