One Europe: The Dream of Unity : Perspectives : Getting Together: The People Speak : GREEK VINTNER

Christos Makou, 36, took advantage of an EC-supported scheme to subsidize land purchases to expand his vineyards in Attica, near Athens.

“Although my family (members) have been grape growers for generations, and I wanted to devote myself to agriculture, I couldn’t manage to live off the land. Like other small farmers and agricultural workers around here, I combined grape-growing and limited wine-making with other forms of employment . . .

“In 1988, I . . . joined a government program that helped young farmers buy land because I could get EC money to make it productive. Which is exactly what happened . . .

“Four years later, the Community grant has doubled my yield and brought in profits--healthy profits. I’ve paid off my debts, improved my standard of living and dropped the other jobs I did in order to live. And in 1990, I bought another small piece of land. My personal income has tripled . . .

“However, I fear for the future . . . Things have been good since Greece joined the EC, but now they’re revising the Common Agricultural Policy. I just don’t know what lies ahead.”