I FEEL that I must reply to Ben Eaton regarding his letter headlined "Ethnic minority has given much to UK" (You Say, May 16) and his criticisms of E W Carr.

I would also like to take him to task over his statements about "who is sustaining the agriculture industry", and the fact he mentioned Enoch Powell.

He should try finding out a few home truths as to why agriculture in this country is in the state it is, with 23,000 leaving the industry last year alone.

Because of EU legislation and directives, farmers were told to diversify or die after the F&M crisis.

This they tried to do with farm shops and farmers markets, only to be shot down again by further regulations regarding abattoirs, the burial of animals and many other regulations on manure.

As for Enoch Powell, many people will remember his "Rivers of blood" speech.

But what are the figures on asylum seekers now? You need to get in touch with the facts, Mr Eaton.

JOHN SMITH,

Barrow, Cumbria.