I think we can safely say that here in the UK, one of the main topics of conversation is the weather. It's always the same really, an ice-breaker to start off the day. But this is starting to get a bit more serious than a conversation starter and the small talk about the typical British summers is becoming rather worrying. Our fields are flooded and two in particular will inevitably not bring in the yield we had hoped for. This obviously means less profit for us even though the bills continue to rise. Leaning on government help is crucial whether people like it or not, but one way or another, we have to live. Reading some articles recently and the rather ignorant comments left, it seems a lot of people assume those who rely on subsidies and government assistance are as bad as benefit scroungers. This simply is not the case. I can't be arsed to defend my rights to claim what I am entitled to on here because quite honestly I find blogging about political issues an absolute bore. I like to read political and topical posts but I'd much rather not write them. So to all those people who think being a farmer and claiming what is rightfully due to my business is benefit scrounging, you can fuck right off. Yes, I did say that on my blog.
Dairy farmers are having a hell of a time and I really wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now. Supermarket giants are a disgrace and it's about time these extremely hard working men and women who run dairy farms were given a break. And a big one at that. The Farmer is in a permanent bad mood because we haven't even been able to clip sheep yet, never mind make hay. What's that saying, "make hay while the sun shines"? What a load of bollocks that is turning out to be!
I feel so sorry for all farmers right now - this weather is affecting everyone so badly but farmers most of all.
ReplyDeleteI support the Farmers totally 100% they should be given a fair price because it is what is right.
ReplyDeletethere was a point when i had govt assistance because i made well below the poverty line and need insurance for my boys...so no shame in it from me...
ReplyDeleteand ugh on your crops...that is def hard...
Our Farm Bill that was just passed here included 80% Welfare...How can 20% that is Suppose to go to the farmers be helped when 80% goes to people who have never even held a shovel much less rakes muck out of a pen??? I'm SOOOO disgusted with government right now!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I scream so much about the direction that our country is being led down...Government subsidies should GO to the people it was created to go TO!
I feel for you sweetheart!!!!
hughugs
This atrocious weather is getting everyone down but I imagine it's a lot worse for farmers. x
ReplyDeleteThe weather is upsetting everyone. I feel so sorry for the farmers and in particular for the dairy farmers.
ReplyDeleteI think it is an utter disgrace that the supermarkets are acting so greedily. As for having to claim hand outs........ if people are entitled then that is fine and others should just shut up and mind their own business.
I am quite upset by the present attitude to pensioners as well. I feel that the Government might just as well have us euthanised at 65! My generation had to really rough it and were taught to be frugal and to save and that if we couldn't afford a thing then we'd go without. Now we are supposed to be penalised because of that.
(Steam coming out of my ears!) Life is certainly not fair.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
I have to admit to knowing very little about farming, but i do support your sentiments. The giant supermarkets are so powerful the way they drive down the price of products such as milk in order to draw people in to their shops. I imagine most people have absolutely no idea how this affects the farmers and suppliers and I do include myself in that. Most of us do not stop to think of the consequences of buying cheap milk from the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post. Hear! Hear! People should mind their own sodding business regarding govt assistance. Do people not realise that farmers are providing us all with an essential service for goodness sake! I hope to feck the rain stops. Yes its a major inconvenience to us all but when its affecting your livelihood then thats serious. Good luck. x
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!! I'm glad you've spoken up about this. I'm in the U.S., but the weather here has been a bit strange as well. I'm not sure if it's climate change in the works or just an odd weather pattern. I hope there is a turn for the better your way soon.
ReplyDeleteYou know, we buy Fairtrade tea and coffee, fairtrade chocolate and sugar.
ReplyDeleteBut shouldn't Fairtrade begin at home, with a fair price for milk, cereals and meat?
There is a constant push for cheaper food from giants.
Most people buy more food than they need and throw away huge quantities.
There is an obesity problem all over Europe.
What all of that says to me is that we have disconnected from our food sources (now don't get the idea that I want to be a farmer, noooo!) and have lost respect for how food is grown/produced.
So lets hear it for the farmers!
That's a real bummer. I get the impression some folks think farmers are rich people running about in their brand new Range Rovers, but I know the majority of them are struggling to make a living.
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating to know that the milk I buy is making life hard for the people who produce it. Not entirely sure what we can do about it tho. We will inevitably pay higher prices, but I doubt you'll see it which is an injustice.
I only have one thing to say to you Crystal and theat is, Hear Hear I agree entirely!
ReplyDeleteI hope that things improve for you. Its been an appauling Summer, probably the worst in my living memory, and I'm 41!
ReplyDeleteMy mother, daughter and I were all having this conversation yesterday when the news of the milk farmers came out. We would gladly pay extra for our milk to support the farmers, but the supermarkets all try to undercut one another, so it is they who should be forced to set a minimum price and stick to it.
ReplyDeleteI'd define a benefits scrounger as someone who claims money off the government that they simply don't need. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of farmers who do that. That's not a slur on you or any other individual farmer. However, I think it would be naive to think there are not SOME farmers who are robbing the state as badly as the stereotypical JSA druggies.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what to make of the dairy situation. It's obvious supermarkets can be evil. My grandparents were market gardeners and used to get about 5p for a ton of tomatoes off supermarkets (that's not an exaggeration). However, if one supermarket shows they have morals and they put up their prices so they can pay the farmers a fair amount, there'll always be another company who undercuts them. That's the capitalist society we live in. I think it's important that there are blogs like this that can educate people to make the right decisions. It's been a pleasant surprise to see so much coverage on mainstream news as well.