Healthy food farming for a healthy community
Facts about the need for the GIPSA Rules on Farm Bill 2012
What is the current issue?
Large Corporations hold too much of the food market’s control.
• A few large companies dominate the meat and poultry industries.
• 4 large corporations control 50%+ of all food sales
• 4 large corporations buy 70% of pork from farmers.
• Put small farmers at a disadvantage for economic growth
Economic disadvantage for farmers.
• Only 19% of every dollar is given to the farmers
• 81% of ever dollar is being put towards processing and marketing.
• Famers can’t earn enough money to produce food and make a living wage.
Large Corporations in Control
• Many farmers, with out a living wage, are forced to work for large food corporations.
• Farmers are being silenced against large corporations requirements for corrupt farming practices.
What can help out farmers and community?
• Voting to implement the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) rules.
• Need UDSA enforcement on GIPSA rules over large food corporations
What will the GIPSA rules do?
• Bring fair economic competition between small/medium sized farms and large industrial farming companies
• Stop price premiums and secret preferential contracts granted to cattle and hog factory farms.
• Prevent one buyer from representing multiple meatpackers at an auction. This practice effectively eliminates competitive bidding on livestock, which hurts small-scale producers.
• Prohibits retaliation against poultry growers who speak out about abuses.
Why should our political leaders care?
• Small/medium sized farmers are the constituents
• Keeping small local farmers in business will keep local jobs with in MN
For more information contact Food and Water Watch at (202) 683-2500
Senator Klobuchar we want you to vote yes for the GIPSA rules.
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/farm-bill-2012/fair-farm-rules/
https://docs.google.com/a/d.umn.edu/viewer?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=133f61445ffcc86c&mt=application/vnd.ms-powerpoint&url=https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ui%3D2%26ik%3Dd478669991%26view%3Datt%26th%3D133f61445ffcc86c%26attid%3D0.1%26disp%3Dsafe%26realattid%3Df_gvmr05jx0%26zw&sig=AHIEtbSXwwNgnHE-cNAYG9I9HqINZAeAsg
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteThat is crazy that only 19% of every dollar is given to the farmer! That does not seem fair at all. I knew that only a couple large organizations control much of what we eat. I remember learning about that in the Food Inc. documentary which was very interesting. It is those same organizations that are disadvantaging small farms. Last night I went and watched Forks Over Knives at the Zinema, it was very interesting and reminds me of what you are talking about. I think you would really like this film if you haven't already seen it.
I really liked how you had posted about the percentages and statistics...it always helps to see some exact numbers. Like Bailey said, it is crazy that only 19% of every dollar is given to the farmer. I never knew it was such a low number. That seems extremely unfair and wrong. Also, I thought it was interesting how only 4 large corporations control SO much. That doesn't seem quite right. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon
ReplyDeleteYour post is so enlightening. I think everyday people are not aware of the issue involving farmers or they simply don't care (which is sad).Considering farmers were here before these organizations and for them to come along and sabotage their means of living is just beyond unfair in my opinion. It's unethical and egregious and this country needs to stop thinking about profiting and consider the state of livelihood people are being subjected to as a result of such immoral practices.