Last week, our man in Wellington, Miles Anderson MP, boasted that farmers are, "the backbone of the economy", (Waitaki Matters, The Courier, June 18).
As an erstwhile farmer, he seems rather smug. They are doing very well indeed and good luck to them. Dairy farmers copped $400k each from Fonterra, produce prices are high, the dollar is low and the Primary Sector Growth Fund we all pay for.
To continue with Miles’ analogy, how well would his backbone stand up without the muscles, circulation and other organ systems that support it? The agricultural sector are rubbing their soil-hardened hands with glee, as evidenced by the mood of the recent Fieldays. No doubt, considerable debt will be retired, new plant purchased and a well-deserved holiday planned.
How much of this wealth passes out of the farm gate to the working people? We are told this prosperity brings jobs when farmers look to technology to reduce labour costs. They see little connection with what they do with the people that support them on and off their farms. Miles Anderson and his National cronies appear not to care.
