Choices for Who?
I’m reading an interesting letter here from the Progressive Business Managers Focused To The Future, a part of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association. Wow, talk about a fancy name! Its just not cool to call yourself a “farmer” any more if you are a high fuluitin’ agribusinessman. The letter is calling my attention to the “Voices for Choices” initiative. They are very concerned about the potential restrictions placed on “producers freedom” to use “FDA approved technologies in their operations”. You see, in the world of Big Ag, the farmer should have the “freedom” to do whatever they want becouse the consumer is just an uneducated fool that will mess up all the “progress” farmers have made. What about the “freedom” of the consumer to choose what they eat? These guys are same folks who are against labeling milk as BST free, becouse it “harms regular milks image”. So heres the deal, they want all the “freedom” and want you to shut up and consume whatever they want to produce.
March 3rd, 2007 at 7:49 am
In the “laissez-faire” world of mammon based commerce, one of the most important pillars is the right to financial success, where gain is godliness, no matter the cost to others. The first commandment of the pernicious god of mammon is “gain makes right.” This is especially so when it is concentrated in the form of the corporation, mammon’s child. Mammon empowered associations, such as the “Progressive Business Managers Focused To The Future,” are their close cousin. I long for the days when commerce will be governed by the laws of God, and not of mammon, where the love of God and one’s neighbor are the chief motivators behind our actions, not gain or power. Though most would scoff at the likelihood of this ever happening in the upwardly mobile world of modern finance, I am reminded by the words of Psalmist, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off” (Psalm 37:35-38)
March 5th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I think your post brings up a valid point that we need to produce what the consumers want. I just got the same letter in the mail today and I think NEDPA addresses that very point. Below is an excerpt from that letter.
“NEDPA is committed to “an efficient, profitable, environmentally-conscious and consumer-oriented dairy industry in the Northeast.” NEDPA recognizes that, as an industry, we must provide the customer with a product they desire. But when processors use misleading lable claims, resulting in a consumer’s misperception that all milk is not equally safe, healthy and wholesome, we must speak out.”
I think the main point of the letter is fighting against processors that are trying to falsely divide the market so they can sell an identical product at a higher price.
For those who are unfamiliar with NEDPA, it is simply a voluntary organization of farmer-members who try to advance a positve dairy image.
March 6th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Hi Matt
Heres my problem. Big Ag thinks that any label other than “milk” is “misleading”. Most consumers don’t want to drink milk from cows treated with rBST, just ask them. If you want to use it, fine, if I don’t and people will pay more for it then why shouldn’t I be able to label it. I trust the consumer to make the right choice, if given the facts and tools to decide. Big Ag dosen’t think they should be able to choose. Too dumb to make their own choices, they say. All I want is a fair chance to compete for the market, labels are that chance.
I do agree that the current controversy is more about processors trying to make a buck. They are trying to compete with Organic milk and they just don’t understand the Organic consumer well enough to do it.
The dairy industry forget the simple “the customer is always right” rule a long time ago. Instead they insult the customers and wonder why they are not trusted by anyone.
March 7th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I see your point.
You put it well with the “fair chance” plug. I’m not sure where this whole commercial dairy thing will end.
I talked to a Monsanto rep the other day and their big concern is that if rbST is outlawed (or whatever), will other hormones be next? (gnrh, prostoglandins etc) I think it’s kind of a stupid argument, but Monsanto reps aren’t known for smarts.
In the big picture the common dairy consumer would sooner save money for a vacation rather than spend an extra buck on a gallon of milk. That’s not wrong, that’s just the way it is. The way it’s always been.
March 7th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Scott,
You are definitely right that they insult the customers. I think the latest Stockman Grassfarmer (or was it Acres USA - I can’t remember) says that fluid milk consumption is declining. This is not too surprising given that the dairy industry won’t allow reasonable labeling.
Jim V