Dear Editor:
I am many things but amongst my credentials you will see farmer on my list, albeit on a small scale compared to so many others and I do have to work off the farm to help supplement our livelihood and get bills paid.
In most societies farmers are highly trusted. Not many can fault their tenacity or work ethic. They have a deep attachment to the land and care enormously about the well being of their livestock.
Farmers are a necessity because food is a necessity. If you eat it, they have grown it. Unfortunately, as I’ve discovered by talking with acquaintances and co-workers, many are totally unaware of the plight taking hold of the farmers across the pond in Europe. Not much has been mentioned in our mainstream media in the past week, maybe the odd blurb here and there about the angry farmers protesting with their tractors.
Why, you might ask? What are they mad about this week?
I suggest to anyone who eats to become more informed as to what they are facing and up against. If it happens “over there,” you know it will be happening here as well.
The farmers have had enough of the strangling E.U. rules that have been foisted upon them whilst importing goods with less restrictions. It started in the Netherlands, it has moved and taken hold in Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Ireland and Scotland. This weekend Spain, Portugal and Hungary have joined the fold.
The public is 75 to 80% and higher in agreement with their countries’ farmers.
They are rebelling against the increasing taxation along with the unreasonable green edicts being forced upon them. Sound familiar?
Farmers are vital to all of us. We expect and demand good, wholesome, reasonably-priced food and expect that all farmers are compensated for their hard work and efforts. Hopefully with the public’s support and pressure on their governments they will continue to be able to do so, not only “over there” but over here as well.
Delsie Drover,
Belwood