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Farmers for Action?

Googoogajoob | 10.01.2002 19:00

How should the anti-capitalist movement relate to direct action groups such as Farmers For Action?

Farmers For Action has announced it is taking direct action against supermarkets which demand low farm-gate prices and yet over-charge customers. Among its aims and objectives are environmental issues and a living wage for those living on the land.

Many people see farmers as rich land-owners who sponge subsidies and advocate hunting and shooting. Yet this seems more applicable to the relatively wealthy prairy farmers of the south-east. In Wales, Scotland and northern and western England, farmers are often struggling to cope due to the oppressive power of corporate monopsonies such as Tesco and the tremendous obstacles involved in diversifying away from intensive agriculture. They are experiencing similar problems as many small farmers in the developing world and often make annual losses.

How can farmers and people in the countryside be brought into the anti-capitalist movement in this country? Surely the experience in France with José Bové's rural-based anti-capitalism should be an example to the UK?

Googoogajoob
- Homepage: http://www.farmersforaction.org/

Comments

Display the following 8 comments

  1. Anarchists, Socialists and Ecologists — ZeroZero
  2. Handley is no Jose Bove — Lemming
  3. Got to be worth a try — the grim reaper
  4. Talking to them must be worth a try — The Grim Reaper
  5. practical ideas needed — internationalist
  6. Some suggestions — Googoogajoob
  7. Campaigning on farming issues — Lucy
  8. FAA Info from Website+Contact Details (Long) — ZeroZero