Over the Fence – December 2008

John Hannaford — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:31:34 +0000

As we all collectively breath a sigh of relief at the Election of the United States President, of which we have been bombarded for the last twelve months, it was interesting to read, what if any, effect it will have on agriculture in this country. The general consensus is that there will be little or no change in the near future as America keeps up its farm subsidies and import tariffs on most food supplies from Australia. Obama has spoken very strongly on the development of bio fuels using such agricultural products as corn and sugar cane, but one wonders the effect that will have on farming country to produce food resources.

The environmental regulations and red tape are having another major effect on the production of food across the world. Farmers are being increasingly asked, not just to produce food, but to provide a range of ecological services to society.

This has a derogatory effect in particular on developing nations who cant provide these services. These things are mainly climate change, trade , animal welfare and food security. A good example of this effect has been in just two years that the world grain supply has moved from a substantial surplus to a substantial deficit.

Regardless of all ‘experts’ ideas, it still brings us back to the importance of how agriculture is under valued, not only in this country but around the world.

Hannaford Stock & Land » united states president

Over the Fence – December 2008