Meryl Swanson MP’s Post

Fairer for farmers, fairer for families - the Albanese Government is taking cost of living seriously. You can find more information on the Food and Grocery Code Review and how to make a submission at: https://lnkd.in/gAHXCTEs #auspol #competition #supermarkets

These Markets are a great way to support your local Farmers and local food System!! Stop by and support your local Farmers Markets!! 🍅🥬🍠🥕🧅🌱 #buylocal #community #supportyourlocalfarmers #localfoodsystems

We believe farming is all about giving to communities and empowering them to build healthier futures. Since 2011, #BlackPhilanthropyMonth has sought to do the very same by elevating African descent giving and funding equity in agriculture and beyond. African Americans have been disproportionately affected by over 12 million acres of farmland dispossession, loss of food sovereignty, supermarket redlining, zoning laws, unequal allocation of farm subsidies and discriminatory loan policies. Today, Black-owned farms only make up less than 2% of all farms in the U.S., making protecting Black farmers all the more crucial. Want to support Black farmers in your area? Check out SHOPPE BLACK's ultimate list of Black-owned farms and food gardens. 👩🏾🌾🌾 https://lnkd.in/gnvt72ez

Good report from Rundale.org on a recent one day event at Maynooth University organised to contribute to the ongoing work of the food sovereignty movement on the island of Ireland. In the wake of the European farmer protests and electoral gains for the right wing in rural areas, what is the response of the food sovereignty movement? What does a progressive food, land and farming politics in Ireland look like?

The 5 steps of the Better Chicken Commitment can create a brighter future for EVERY chicken reared for meat. And some top U.S. brands are on board! Find out who’s involved and what you can do to support higher welfare chicken ▶️ https://bit.ly/3Zk6nn9 Compassion in World Farming - Food Business

This is an interesting ABC Radio segment on the future of Australian family-owned farms. However, I note they never really nailed the answer to their fundamentally important question "what are the food security implications of the loss of family-owned farms". Hermoine Parsons was interviewed and gave part of the answer ... she mentioned the important national security benefit of having large numbers of diverse family-owned farms underpinning our nation's food security. However, Parsons is the Managing Director of the Australian Logistics Council, and most of the members of the ALC are large corporations and most of their customers are likely to be large corporate and institutional agribusinesses. So, she dodged a full answer to the direct question, what's the food security implications of the loss of our family-owned farms? The answer is centuries old ... large corporate and institutional farms are more likely to be absentee landlords. And absentee landlords do not have the same commitment to prosperous local communities and national food security that Australian family-owned farms have. The superannuation funds that bought up the water rights stripped and laundered from Australian dairy farming families through criminal abuses of market and political power over the last few decades are using Australian water rights to grow food for "the most productive user". So, that means almonds for export, and not fresh fruit and vegetables for Australian tables. The global capital markets investors in Australian water rights don't care about affordable food for everyday Australians. They have one goal and one goal only ... to maximise their yield on their investment, and that means a very effective foreign tax on the price of Australian food. And that is not being picked up by the current Senate Inquiry into Supermarkets' pricing, presumably because the details surrounding Canadian PSP's investments in Australian water rights and the secret trading in our water rights by politically exposed persons with insider information is covered by national secrecy laws.

Today, we celebrate farmers and their hard work, reminding us of the importance of dedication and commitment to service. Happy Farmers’ Day! #Winfluentialsconsultancy #CustomerServiceTraining #CustomerExperience #CustomerRetention #SalesAdvisory #FarmersDay

(FRANCE 13.12.23) Rural France turned upside-down by farmers. French farmers are engaging in a symbolic protest by turning road signs upside-down in rural areas across the country. The campaign, initiated in the southern Tarn department in November, aims to draw attention to the challenges farmers face in their livelihoods, including issues like the rising cost of farm diesel, delayed EU subsidies, bureaucratic hurdles, and competition from imports. The act of turning signs highlights the farmers' frustration with what they perceive as contradictory government instructions and the mental strain unique to their profession. While the protest has resulted in a government concession on two taxes, the road signs remain inverted. ----- [AG: The symbolic protest by French farmers, turning road signs upside-down to draw attention to their challenges, offers some lessons for Australia's agricultural community: Effective Communication: The farmers in France used a visual and attention-grabbing method to communicate their grievances. Australian farmers can consider creative and visible ways to convey their concerns to the public and policymakers. Unity and Collective Action: The campaign in France involved farmers across regions, demonstrating unity. Australian farmers could benefit from collaborating across states and territories to amplify their collective voice on national issues. Highlighting Contradictions: French farmers used the overturned signs to symbolize the contradictory instructions they receive. Australian farmers facing similar challenges can emphasize inconsistencies in government policies affecting their industry. Public Awareness: The visual nature of the protest garnered media attention, bringing the farmers' concerns to the forefront. Australian farmers can explore strategies to raise public awareness and garner support for their issues. Negotiation and Government Response: The protest in France led to a government concession on two taxes. Australian farmers can learn the importance of strategic negotiation and engagement with policymakers to achieve positive outcomes. Persistence: Despite the government's concession, the road signs in France remain inverted, indicating a level of persistence in the protest. Australian farmers may find value in sustained efforts to address ongoing challenges in the agricultural sector. While the specific issues faced by French and Australian farmers may differ, the principles of effective communication, unity, highlighting contradictions, raising public awareness, engaging with policymakers, and persistence can be valuable takeaways for our agricultural community in Australia.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gC7SKV8A

You know it as China's EATS Act. I call it the CHEATS Act because its backers are trying to steal American elections -- specifically, Prop 12 and Question 3 that were settled by voters by landslide margins in favor of giving domesticated animals, especially pigs and laying hens, even a little space to move. But some Republican Agriculture Committee leaders, working with China's Smithfield Foods, want to gut states' rights and give the Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods an opportunity to bring high-rise factory farms, now the rage in China, to the American heartland. The Agriculture Committee is planning to act next week on this nefarious plan. To win, we have to raise our voices and organize. https://lnkd.in/eXidQSDC

Today is Back British Farming Day, the perfect time to start making a difference. We asked how the public can best support our British farmers, and Daniel has three simple and enjoyable ways any of us can help: ▪️ Shop British: Choose British-grown ingredients for your meals. ▪️ Value quality: Invest in British-made products, from food to clothing. ▪️ Think local: Support local farmers by opting for their high-quality goods, even if it costs a bit more. By embracing these small changes, you're playing a vital role in securing the future of British farming. NFU (National Farmers' Union) #BackBritishFarmingDay #BackBritishFarming #AgricultureLife #FarmingLife #BuyBritish