MFU Working to Support Small Family Dairies
By: Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union - 07/27/2011
Recently, Representative Collin Peterson presented a dairy reform proposal to National Farmers Union. The proposal attempts to resolve a number of critical issues that prevent the current dairy safety net from functioning adequately.
While Ranking Member Peterson's proposal acted to initiate meaningful and necessary dairy reform, the proposal in its current form rewards large dairies, while not providing the support necessary support for small dairies to succeed. The primary problem with this proposal is that it appears that the largest farmers will reap the greatest benefits at the expense of smaller family farms. Currently in Minnesota there are 4,302 dairy farms with the average herd size being 104 cows.
National Farmers Union has created a resolution that outlines solutions that would benefit all United States dairy farmers. The resolution includes proposals such as a refundable assessment collection on all milk at all times, an implementation of a variable make allowance, and an effective supply management program that utilizes a fixed base.
It is encouraging that the issue of reform in the dairy industry is being taken up in Congress, but it is clear that this legislation can be improved to create a safety net to support all family farm dairies. We will continue working with policymakers to ensure that any proposed dairy policy reforms do not exacerbate an already dire situation.
USuncutMN says: Tax the corporations! Tax the rich! Stop the cuts, fight for social justice for all. Standing in solidarity with http://www.usuncut.org/ and other Uncutters worldwide. FIGHT for a Foreclosure Moratorium! Foreclosure = homelessness. Resist the American Legislative Exchange Council, Grover Norquist and Citizen's United. #Austerity for the wheeler dealers, NOT the people.
USuncutMN supports #occupyWallStreet, #occupyDC, the XL Pipeline resistance Yes, We, the People, are going to put democracy in all its forms up front and center. Open mic, diversity, nonviolent tactics .. Social media, economic democracy, repeal Citizen's United, single-payer healthcare, State Bank, Operation Feed the Homeless, anti-racism, homophobia, sexISM, war budgetting, lack of transparency, et al. Once we identify who we are and what we've lost, We can move forward.
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
We Feed The World - And It Must Not Be Left to Speculators: VIDEO
One of the best decumentaries ever made on the craziness in the food industry.
Every day in Vienna the amount of unsold bread sent back to be disposed of is enough to supply Austria's second-largest city, Graz. Around 350,000 hectares of agricultural land, above all in Latin America, are dedicated to the cultivation of soybeans to feed Austria's livestock while one quarter of the local population starves. Every European eats ten kilograms a year of artificially irrigated greenhouse vegetables from southern Spain, with water shortages the result.
In WE FEED THE WORLD,
Austrian filmmaker Erwin Wagenhofer traces the origins of the food we eat. His journey takes him to France, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Brazil and back to Austria.
Leading us through the film is an interview with Jean Ziegler, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.
WE FEED THE WORLD is a film about food and globalisation, fishermen and farmers, long-distance lorry drivers and high-powered corporate executives, the flow of goods and cash flow–a film about scarcity amid plenty. With its unforgettable images, the film provides insight into the production of our food and answers the question what world hunger has to do with us .
Interviewed are not only fishermen, farmers, agronomists, biologists and the UN's Jean Ziegler, but also the director of production at Pioneer, the world's largest seed company, as well as Peter Brabeck, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé International, the largest food company in the world.
Every day in Vienna the amount of unsold bread sent back to be disposed of is enough to supply Austria's second-largest city, Graz. Around 350,000 hectares of agricultural land, above all in Latin America, are dedicated to the cultivation of soybeans to feed Austria's livestock while one quarter of the local population starves. Every European eats ten kilograms a year of artificially irrigated greenhouse vegetables from southern Spain, with water shortages the result.
In WE FEED THE WORLD,
Austrian filmmaker Erwin Wagenhofer traces the origins of the food we eat. His journey takes him to France, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Brazil and back to Austria.
Leading us through the film is an interview with Jean Ziegler, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.
WE FEED THE WORLD is a film about food and globalisation, fishermen and farmers, long-distance lorry drivers and high-powered corporate executives, the flow of goods and cash flow–a film about scarcity amid plenty. With its unforgettable images, the film provides insight into the production of our food and answers the question what world hunger has to do with us .
Interviewed are not only fishermen, farmers, agronomists, biologists and the UN's Jean Ziegler, but also the director of production at Pioneer, the world's largest seed company, as well as Peter Brabeck, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé International, the largest food company in the world.
More on this topic (What's this?)
Agricultural Commodities Markets Are Fertile Ground for Profit (Money Morning, 5/11/11)
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