Farmers and economic growth

[Cantdecide]

RoC, you missed out the supermarket angle, which I think is important: in order to maximise profits, supermarkets force producers' prices down to the point where farmiing as we knew it becomes unviable. No-one can get a living from it unless farmers form some kind of union or co-op and push farm gate prices up again. Then, of course, supermarkets go abroad for their produce.

I agree with the general points though and certainly some form of protectionism (globally) is a necessary evil - even if 'only' to save the biosphere.

Unfortunatley when they did this on milk prices the competition authority went ballistic , raided premises and attempted prosecutions. It is illegal for competitors to even discuss price levels.

[trickpa]

Farmer feed us - nuff said.....lay off 'em

[rockofcashel]

we're not having a pop at farmers Trickpa. In effect I laid out the problems that farmers are facing in any economy which measures success based on the very narrow idea of economic growth, without taking into account the necessity of sustainability.

Basically, farmers are like hamsters on a treadmill, the faster they run, the harder it becomes to survive.

We need to drastically change our focus if we are to continue having a viable agricultural industry,.

[drbob1972]

oh dear i'm in almost complete agreement with a shinner on something, think i'd better go lie down for a while.....

[rockofcashel]

See Dr Bob, when we stop eating babies, we tend to have reasonable economic discussions.

People like yourself only see the baby eating though