Off Topic (sort of) - A Question of Farmers

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:18 am

A question I always wondered, and maybe people know about this one. When the Foot and Mouth outbreak occurred and the farmers had to slaughter all the livestock (something that they were destined to do anyway) were they compensated by the Government for the loss of their stock? And if so how much? And if it's the case why all the tears from the farmers?

Seems to me that if they manage to effectively sell all their stock at a decent price in one swoop shirley that's a good thing isn't it?

Should I feel sorry for the farmers, or should I be happy for them?

(I know this is a bit off topic but I know that when I trample this good land, such a subject matter get discussed by butterfliers and birders alike.)

Danny

Post by **Padfield** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:41 am

There are good farmers and bad farmers, as there are good and bad people in every profession. Even as a vegan of 25 years' standing I am proud to say I know and have even worked for cattle farmers who love and respect their animals.

I think there was widespread, genuine shock and grief at the callous, utilitarian slaughter of so many healthy creatures, irrespective of the effect on income and bank balances. For myself, I was utterly disgusted by the government's scandalous and wanton disregard for life and welfare when it pursued that policy. So rather than feel sorry for the farmers, or otherwise, I think we should share their understandable offence.

Guy

Mike Young · Post by **Mike Young** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:02 am

You have to remember also, that to a lot of farmers its a way of life , not only a matter of profit and loss.
Many of these herds of livestock have been built up over years of careful breeding and stock selection. From that standpoint they are often irreplacable.

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:06 pm

Yep, I agree with mike. When taking cattle to market the strong from the herd are kept to further the next generation. When F&M strikes there IS no next generation and the work building it up is lost. It must be devastating for many. I wonder if it's possible to store semen and ova at sensible rates as an insurance policy against this happening?

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:03 am

...Mmmm...but shirley the Farmers are compensated for this as well, Sounds to me like it's quids in for farmers when there's a F&M outbreak. They basically get to sell all their stock (that were due for the slaughterhouse anyway) at the top rate in one go. They then have a wad of $$$ to bank. I imagine there's gonna be a load of the sticky stuff to get the ball rolling again...there's no doubt specialist companies that deal with this kind of thing. On top of that the farmers glean sympathy from the the General Public through TV appearances and interviews through supposed tears.....Call me cynical, call me a meany.....

Danny

Post by **Padfield** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:42 am

Cynic!

Meanie!

Seriously, though, you must have met very different farmers from the ones I know in Suffolk. The idea that they're just in it for the money, or that money could adequately compensate them is just silly. Their farms and livestock are their lives, their projects, things they are proud of and invest much more than ££ in. I'm sure there are bad, greedy farmers too, but I think your general cynicism is too global, Danny!

Having said that, the rate at which agricultural land here in CH is being redesignated as development land (big windfall to farmer there...) is very distressing. Farmers are human, too.

Guy

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:14 am

<<<<Seriously, though, you must have met very different farmers from the ones I know in Suffolk. The idea that they're just in it for the money, or that money could adequately compensate them is just silly.

Farmers are as capatalist as the rest of us. Money makes the world go round, or the human one anyway. The latest one (this very morning) is the Blue Tongue virus, carried by sheep ticks (If I Recall Correctly there were a few of you folks who were bitten by ticks earlier in the year...check your tongues folks!), watch the panic as farmers start slaughtering their livestock en masse and bagging cash cash cash from the Government coffers.

<<<<<Their farms and livestock are their lives, their projects, things they are proud of and invest much more than ££ in.

Not convinced about this argument Guy. They've got the land, they've got the buildings all they need to do is replace the animals and they get the dosh (and lots of it) in order to do this.....meanwhile we get mono culture in the fields that aren't set aside for livestock, complete with nasty chemicals etc.....all the name of the dollar.

<<<<<<I'm sure there are bad, greedy farmers too, but I think your general cynicism is too global, Danny!

I guess I'm just twitter and bisted.

Danny

Post by **Padfield** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:29 am

I guess we'll have to agree to differ, Danny!

Guy

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:10 pm

That's cool, I still love you.

Incidentally these midges from Europe that are spreading this blue tongue thing, are in fact initially from Kenya....does this mean we'll start getting some of those Kenyan Butterflies that were in the other thread?

You know they're insects too....

Danny