Madam, – In response to your Editorial of August 30th, I would like to offer some personal insight as an elderly dairy farmer, a member of the wilfully negligent and dangerous farming subgroup, according to your Editorial.
I have been receiving the same price for my product for the last 15 to 20 years, a period during which the cost of safety equipment, new machinery and labour has risen dramatically.
Unlike builders, other manufacturers and newspaper publishers, I cannot add additional costs to the price of my product. Those in my situation are forced to trade at world prices, effectively competing with Third World producers who can utilise cheap or even forced labour, and may pay no heed to safety measures (food safety included).
You have an excellent Farming Correspondent on your staff, perhaps you should have discussed these matters with him before offering such thoughtless and ill-informed opinions. – Yours, etc,