WEST Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer has called for the Common Agricultural Policy to be scrapped (Malvern Gazette, October 20).

On this, and on his statement that "the British government should use taxpayers' money directly to support our own farmers", I could not agree more.

The CAP is a system of farm support that suits the farmers of mainland Europe but not our own. It costs the British taxpayer £3-4 billion a year. This money could be used far more effectively and efficiently by our own government.

However, Sir Michael knows as well as I do that successive governments have attempted to reform the CAP but have been cold-shouldered by our European partners. As for scrapping it altogether, I'm afraid that this is typical Tory rhetoric. For as long as we are members of the European Union we will be burdened with the CAP.

There is only one solution and that is for us to leave the European Union and regain control of our farm-support system.

We, in the UK Independence Party, have a policy to do just this. The Conservative Party, I fear, will always be beholden to Brussels.

Is it possible that Sir Michael might feel more at home in the UK Independence Party?

Richard Chamings, Crumpton Hill, Storridge.

(via e-mail)