Introduction

Abstract

Metamorphic in an economic, political and social sense, the post-1931 period has had more profound consequences for British agriculture than any other period since the Agricultural Revolution of the eighteenth centuly. Such a claim may appear surprising when the historical context and unity of the period are not immediately obvious. It could be argued with some justification that, in respect of the twentieth century, the period of most dramatic transformation was that following Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community (EC)¹ in 1973, when problems of food surpluses and financial difficulties associated with its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) surfaced. British agriculture prior to this had often been portrayed in an idyllic, romanticized way because of its more traditional methods of small-scale farming, horse economy and non-intensive livestock production. Anecdotal reminiscences recalled the value of customary farming and the harmonious, symbiotic relationship that existed between man and land. Conversely, farming since the 1970s, epitomized by high output and capital intensive, scientifically and technologically advanced methods, has been widely criticized for its adverse environmental and social impact.