Australian Beef - A huge threat to U.K. farmers

Surely, even if you (anyone) voted for Brexit, which was so vague that no-one understood what it meant, not even Johnson or Frost (own admission) - then it does not mean we ahve to accept any deal which will seriously damage our own people- in the case, the farmers. This deal is not done, and no-one has voted for it.

As for Brexiters versus Remainers- I do not know of any remainers who want this deal, and even very few Brexiters. But the only ones in favour are ... Brexiters. (a bit like something else discussed before).

“I think the NFU has lost touch with a lot of its members too.”

There aren’t many farmers who want cheap imports to replace U.K. food. Around 90% of farmers are NFU members, they may grumble but they do support the policies.

Something became painfully clear this week. The opposition to Britain’s global trade deals is not driven by concern for hill farmers, or fears for the Union, or any economic calculations whatsoever. It is driven, rather, by Europhile nostalgia; by the desire, perhaps unconscious, for Brexit to fail so that its opponents might be proved right after all.

Let's hope that his readers aren't so ignorant as to believe this is fact rather than a (very) biased opinion. He produces nothing at all to show this is true. What he tells is is that he, (and I imagine others still trying to show they "know what is best for our country" rather than bowing to their personal prejudices will agree) wants to prove that those who are in the farming business don't know what they are talking about.

Umm, now who would I believe. The one who has the knowledge or the one who doesn't even care to show that what he is talking about is fact?

Interesting comments, especially that remainers are wanting Brexit to fail, I voted remain, we are all Brexit now and I certainly want the UK to be successful in the future. Importing cheap produce or goods that has been grown or made to lower standards only puts U.K. businesses at a disadvantage and discourages enterprise.
We really should be producing more of what we consume with some spare to export, that applies to industrial goods, electronics and food.

Subsidies are being phased out Jumblygran. We’ve been working to EU subsidies but they will go now.

Things could change a lot. Some of the arable farming industry could revive I hope, now the profit base is changing.

I think the NFU has lost touch with a lot of its members too.

I have just watched (evening here) a very interesting programme by Simon Reeve in Cornwall he talks about farming in the area and looks at some sustainable practises. British farming seems to be at a crossroad and as in all countries more sustainable practices are needed. Your farmers are subsidised but still many are living on the breadline. The reality is that farming is a hard life and only the committed who love it stay on.
I read that 86 percent of your meat is produced by British farmers and that most of your extra beef comes from Ireland. That is a pretty good result with the population you have.
I can see why your farmers might feel threatened, but would it be a good idea to look at producing high end product at a premium and leaving the cheaper meat to the counties that can run stock on big areas and get economies of scale like Australia.
Here in NZ farmers lost the last of the subsidies in the 1980’s
Our farms are getting bigger and we are slowly loosing the communities and family farms that formed the backbone of country life in previous generations.
There was a comment on the Simon Reeve program actually by a butcher that it would be better for the farmers to produce less better quality meat.
Another comment was that your groceries compared to other countries are very cheap. I have noticed this also, it makes travelling around your lovely country so much more affordable. Is Brexit changing the affordability for you. A more international supply of meat could for some mean that they can afford to eat better? Just wondering.
Having a bit of a ramble and hopefully some of it makes sense.
I often find that difficulties can lead to the most interesting and wonderful solutions wouldn’t it be great if British farmers could be prosperous even without the need for subsidies.

From an article in today’s Sunday Telegraph by Daniel Hannan.
Note in particular the last sentence quoted.

Something became painfully clear this week. The opposition to Britain’s global trade deals is not driven by concern for hill farmers, or fears for the Union, or any economic calculations whatsoever. It is driven, rather, by Europhile nostalgia; by the desire, perhaps unconscious, for Brexit to fail so that its opponents might be proved right after all.

In opposing that deal, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) leaders simultaneously set themselves against public opinion, the Conservative Government and (it seems) most farmers – not a comfortable place to be

How did they get into this mess? It’s hardly as though Australian produce – counter-seasonal to our own, remember – is a threat. As I wrote here last week, 91 per cent of the beef we import comes from the EU and only one per cent from Australia. Yet NFU leaders maintain with straight faces that tariff-free imports are fine from the EU but not from anywhere else

I had a briefing call with some NFU lobbyists,” an MP who had initially been predisposed to back them told me. “It was just embarrassing. They kept changing their story. They started by claiming that Australian beef was treated with growth hormones, and when an MP pointed out that hormone-treated beef was excluded from the deal, they just shifted ground and moved on to something else.”

The NFU’s Euromania sets it apart from the bulk of British farmers, most of whom voted Leave

<shakes head>
Dead horses had better take refuge. ?
Perhaps the Brexit bashing posts could carry a health warning to alert those who are frankly fed up with reading the same old, same old over and over again.

Indeed and exactly. So if people believe we should buy British and local as far as possible- then it makes sense to buy what we can't produce from our local partners, and more importantly, at level conditions, without tarifs. Not the other side of the world.

From the Observer:

'Huntley, 53, farms sheep and cattle in the same 500 acres as his father before him, and he and his wife Tracey hope their 22-year-old son Thomas will take over from them.
“It’s not easy, farming,” said Huntley. “But we’ve been here a long time, made a living, and want to pass it on to the next generation.”
The government’s post-Brexit trade negotiations come as it is deciding its domestic farming policy, including what subsidies will replace the EU’s common agricultural policy.
Huntley worries about the global competition his son Tom could face in years to come. He warns that if domestic producers are undermined by the Brexit Government.'

This Deal is not yet done, unlike Brexit, so it is certainly worth fighting. And it is the reality, that those who want it are Brexiters, and those who are trying to (again) warn of consequences, are not. Fact. It is about Brexit, Fact. The pink tinted glasses are not on my nose or any of the remainers.

Warnings were given before, during and after. Project fear they said- and now project reality has destroyed

financial sector
our standing in the world and our reputation
fisheries
huge sectors of industry and more to come
and now farming.

So no, no rest will be given

Kali2

The post was not addressed to you in particular, but to Brexiters who say 'buy British, support local farmers' and then ...

PS??? We are talking about the UK, no?

Do you have any quarrel with “Buy British, support local farmers” ?
No?
Well then.

Has the time not come to stop polarising every decision or action or reaction into a binary Remainers and (You) Brexiters?
It is self-righteous, dismissive, patronising, uninformed (nobody knows how anybody voted) and perpetuates divisions at a time when every country should be pulling together.
It is also not unlike a well known saying involving horses, dead and flogging.
Could those who see everything through Brexit/Remainer tinted glasses please give it a rest .

The post was not addressed to you in particular, but to Brexiters who say 'buy British, support local farmers' and then ...

PS??? We are talking about the UK, no?

But you Brexiters truly can't have it both ways.

I am not one of you Brexiters
I am not hypocritical
I support local farmers
I am aware that many people cannot afford the prices charged for locally produced food which, on the whole are higher than some imported food, produced to British standards
Some food produced in the EU is not produced to very high standards
But I am aware that people need to eat
I do realise we import food into this country as we cannot produce enough to feed the population.


Ps here - is that in the UK or in the EU or an a non-EU country?

The fact is, that some practices in Australia would NOT be acceptable here, and for very good reasons. Mulesing is not practised here- and we should not accept it.

But you Brexiters truly can't have it both ways. Spend months and years saying we should not buy from our partners in EU and we should buy British and buy local (yes, I agree) - and then say - what great opportunities to go and buy cheaper in on the far side of the world. That makes NO sense whatsoever.

Either you want to support British farmers, and all to buy British and local, or you don't! Which is it? And are you prepared to see British farming go under (pun sort of intended). The contradictions here are just so hypocritical.

As for comparisons between British and OZ farming- you make the point very well. Let's support our British farmers.

I am fully aware of the devastating effects of flystrike, thanks

Do you? Have you seen the effects yourself?

And fact- it is not an acceptable practice in the UK - hence the comparison.

There is no comparison.
Average flock of British sheep farm: 422 @ 6-10 per acre
Average flock of Australian sheep station: 70m
Size: average 5 million hectares

All free range of course.

Sorry but you really don't understand Australian farming at all.

I am fully aware of the devastating effects of flystrike, thanks.

Fact is, both beef and lamb farming are threatened by this deal- so it was fair to acknowledge that.

And no, not 'just' merino. And fact- it is not an acceptable practice in the UK- hence the comparison.

We lost a rabbit to flystrike many years ago and it was a horrendous sight. I still feel guilty because I should have been washing its rear end and keeping it maggot free.
Fortunately the D whose bunny it was, did not see him .
As you say an agonising death being literally eaten alive by maggots.

MawB I think the practice of mulesing is carried out, in the main, on Merino sheep which are kept for wool. It saves the sheep from an agonising death from fly strike.

If anyone feels worried about it, please ensure you buy wool products from companies which ensure their sheep have not been subjected to this practice.

www.sheepcentral.com/chinese-are-ok-with-mulesing-but-europe-sets-requirements/

You should check out the history behind your expensive wool sweater very carefully.
It could be made from wool from Australia (or anywhere) garment made in China, sold by a UK firm.
Please be careful if you are concerned.
Otherwise you could buy acrylic and pollute the seas.

It's a choice.

I know that Australian cattle are free to roam thousands upon thousands of acres for most of their lives.

Just eat home-produced beef.
I am sure that your beef is produced to the highest possible standards.
Please keep importing lamb from the UK (Welsh) too.

However, you cannot castigate others for their choices.

As this thread meanders in a variety of directions, kali2 - YOU were the person who introduced the topic of “mulesing” in a thread about Australian beef.,
You have clearly moved on to farming practices in general, of which you seem to know rather less than those with practical knowledge and experience.
Before you start protesting, no, I am not unaware of animal cruelty and yes I do care , but unless you are vegan and observe those principles in every aspect of your life - clothes, home products as well as food, you must take on board that farming is an industry and actually good husbandry includes animal welfare as much as profits.

Some of you should wrestle with reality

Have you ever been to Australia ?

Have you been to a cattle station or a sheep station?

If it upsets you then you do not have to eat meat imported from Australia nor any meat for that matter, nor wear clothes made of merino wool from Australia, nor buy carpets etc made with wool from Australia.

No-one is forced to.

We could all buy acrylic and destroy the world in our own way.

A short incident of pain is better than the agony of dying from fly strike.
A very short pain from tail docking is better than dying from fly strike.

Some of you should wrestle with reality and the reality of what is happening out there to all the sectors mentioned above.

And farming.