I have not seen many poor farmers in my lifetime. They all seem to have fairly big homes and drive Range Rovers and BMW's or Volvo's. Diesel of course! . Well you see 'red' diesel, which has much much, lower duty may be used in tractors and in other farm machinery which does not go on the open road. A Nelson eye is normally turned if a farmer is going from field to field in a tractor or combine harvester, using industrial diesel. They are supposed to get a police escort if they can find a police person, or get a tax disc, road going insurance, which would cost a fortune for a special use, powerful tractor and an MOT certificate if it is four years old. Have you seen some of the wrecks still going about? Problems arise when joe six pack or josephine treble gin comes barreling round a corner and hits one as it exits a field. Why are gates always at a corner of a field and a bend in the road? Then the small matters of the driver having , no MOT.,no road tax no insurance or even a license, none of which are needed inside the farm area and then there is the tank full of 'red' diesel as a further charge.
But, of course, 'red' diesel is only normal diesel with a vegetable dye put into it and will burn in any diesel engine hence the diesel Volvo's and Beemers. If you are really worried about using it, I am told that straining diesel through muslin with charcoal in it removes the dye. I, of course, would never use it and so have no proof that the process, in fact, works !!
So just look at all the normal business costs the farmers don' t pay........no insurance to drive inside the farm.....no licenses needed, get the kids out to work early, no road tax or MOT needed, no costly repairs needed either and cheap fuel too! With the use of a generator they can save on electricity costs in the business and at home and it uses 'red' diesel too. A good boiler heated with wood and any other household rubbish provides hot water which may come from a spring or well on the land saves on water rates and rain butts provide for any needed by the animals.
So these 'poor' farmers are not forced to sell to supermarkets but there must be a very good reason why so many do and so many others plot and scheme to get on the buyer's lists. once the supermarkets own the milk they can do as they please. If they feel like offering it as a loss leader why should farmers complain? The got their money so shut up and count it !!! I'll have 5 litres of cheap milk , please, to put four in the freezer for later when the prices go back up !!!
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