You see, the truth of the potato famine in Ireland hinges not on the potato harvest going bad, but the other foods being exported without regard for the starving Irish. All the grain and beef produced in Ireland was being shipped to the rest of Great Britain for profit, and imports of maize and grain from other countries was illegal due to protectionist laws. This, coupled with the ruthless exploitation of the Irish by absentee landlords, shrinking farm sizes, and horrific "welfare" options, led to the deaths of millions of Irish and the migration of many more from the country. All to protect the business of the British agricultural sector.