Farmers fret over Greens - Farmers' Journal

[SPN]

Front page on this week's IFJ is the above headline, followed by an article that doesn't quite know where it is trying to go.

Sources in Fianna Fail said no major problems regarding agriculture have emerged .....

"Fermers are to the fore on quality standards and don't need any lectures on this"

Some rural Fianna Fail back benchers are uneasy about the party going into Government with the Greens.

They devote all of page 6 to a relatively good breakdown of Green policies, and there is nothing there that would frighten the sheep.


On page 8 The Dealer goes off on a rant - primarily aimed at nailing Biffo for his flip-flopping.

The Dealer never ceases to be amazed at the double-talk of politicians - they say whatever suits the occasion and if the need arises they can turn around and say the exact opposite. The following is an extract from a speech made by Brian Cowen ago. This is the man who is in negotiations with the Green Party on the formation of the next Government.

They have an interview with Martin Mansergh on page 12 wherein he has a serious go at the Greens.

Looking abroad one can point to German economy which went to the floor with a SDP/Green coalition. What the Germans spent 40 years building was destroyed in 6 months.

It never ceases to amaze me how gullible Joe & Josephine can be when fed a line of bullsh!t by a FFailure with an eye on parting them from their hardearned.

[Ronanr]

I have to laugh at this - I know a farmer in Westmeath who was nearly dissuaded from voting for Fine Gael because an FF canvasser had told him that if FG were in government the Greens would be running agriculture policy, and that they would "ruin the farmers".

I have a feeling that the said FF canvasser will get a forceful reminder of this prediction the next time the farmer sees him if the FF/Green deal goes through.

[Helium Three]

Biffo will not be the only humorist in the next Cabinet if the Farmers' Journal gem by Martin Mansergh is anything to go by.

'I don't like the priggishness of some of their people', says the bould MM speaking of the Greens.

Athnaionn ciarog ciarog eile. (Must find the fada key)

[CJH]

I have to laugh at this - I know a farmer in Westmeath who was nearly dissuaded from voting for Fine Gael because an FF canvasser had told him that if FG were in government the Greens would be running agriculture policy, and that they would "ruin the farmers".

I have a feeling that the said FF canvasser will get a forceful reminder of this prediction the next time the farmer sees him if the FF/Green deal goes through.

If the farmer voted for FG, why do you think said FF canvasser would give a toss?

[Gombeen]

I have to laugh at this - I know a farmer in Westmeath who was nearly dissuaded from voting for Fine Gael because an FF canvasser had told him that if FG were in government the Greens would be running agriculture policy, and that they would "ruin the farmers".

I have a feeling that the said FF canvasser will get a forceful reminder of this prediction the next time the farmer sees him if the FF/Green deal goes through.

If the farmer voted for FG, why do you think said FF canvasser would give a toss?

He clearly did care if he was trying to convince him not to with the 'The Greens will destroy agriculture!' routine. If he didn't give a toss, he'd hardly be canvassing the farmer, now would he.

[culbair]

FF has already destroyed agriculture. Are journalists in the Farmers Journal not aware of this?

[Ronanr]

If the farmer voted for FG, why do you think said FF canvasser would give a toss?

Because the said farmer would be sure to make his comments in front of other people in the pub or some such social occassion and so irritate said FF canvasser (the said canvasser is something of true believer, and rather thin-skinned to boot, and so would be genuinely irritated to hear his own words coming back at him in such a fashion, particularly in front of others).

[Tigrrr]

It is a significant worry. As a member of Fine Gael I was dubious about the party going into coalition with the Greens, because I sincerely think that while a lot of what they say with regard to environmental protection can be good in theory, their policies can be disastrous for farming.
My concerns, personally speaking, have not been alleviated by reading their election manifesto and their policy documents on the agricultural industry and rural living. According to themselves, they want to bring about a situation where they can ban live exports, bring an end - yes, an end - to intensive farming, and ban foxhunting.

Believe it or not, and I didn't at first, they also want do develop the education of veterinary surgeons in homeopathy. To make matters worse, they don't feel it is necessary for vets to do what many of them do (to bring in a viable income) inspecting carcasses in abbatoirs that are intended for human consumption. That is a very significant worry for human health. (Presumably the vets will be off doing FETAC courses on prescribing honey as an antibiotic).

They also want to reduce (or perhaps abolish?) the usage of artificial fertilisers, 'though they seem not to go into any detail on this issue. Which in itself, is a worry.

I would say that the agricultural communities, and those who are not themselves involved with farming directly but who depend on the rural economy, have good reason to be apprehensive about Green Government.

(Must find the fada key)

Alt Gr + [vowel]

[ibis]

(Must find the fada key)

Alt Gr + [vowel]

And for capitals hold down SHIFT as well - Caps Lock won't do it.

[EoinMn]

Tigrrr, where did you see this reference to banning fox hunting? I can't find it.