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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Decentralized local markets offer true sustainability, and contribute greatly to our hopes of long term sovereignty

IMAGE CREDIT:  BC Cattlemen's Association

A post from my friend Dave in Williams Lake.

So this year, as has been our habit for many years, we ordered a side of beef from a local rancher. 

We have always been grateful for the care that our ranchers, and their 4H kids, give to raising their animals. And the outstanding quality of product they deliver. As a bonus, we have made some wonderful friendships along the way.

Regrettably, it is getting harder and harder for local producers to afford to raise their animals to maturity and then have them processed and sold in the local market.
 
It's now virtually impossible for them to find a local abbatoir, and have the meat government inspected. Ranchers are forced to ship their animals to Kamloops (200+ km) and then retrieve the meat to deliver to customers. No wonder so many are forced to become cow/calf operations, shipping young animals to massive feed lots. 

Sadly, we all pay more, while the ranchers make next to nothing on the ridiculously obscene consumer beef prices we find in the stores. In addition, our food gets needlessly shipped, over a great many miles, when it could be raised and sold right here at home. 

But I rant.

The crowning cherry on the top of this sundae of stupidity and frustration, today we received this email from our rancher friend:

Hi everyone,

Thanks to the BCGEU strike, which includes the meat inspectors, I will NOT be able to ship your beef this Sunday, September 14. Seems to me that meat inspectors should be an essential service as they are so closely tied with food security.

Needless to say I am frustrated with this situation, but can do nothing but wait until something is resolved. (Our butcher)... will let me know as soon as I can ship and of course I will let all of you know.

I totally agree. Inspection should be an essential service. But, I will go one step farther. It should be readily available in EVERY community.  And, facilities should be established in all communities to encourage the production and sale of local, direct-from-the-producer farm and ranch products. 

I feel the same about finished forest products. But that's a different rant.

In my honest opinion, decentralized, local markets offer true sustainability and contribute greatly to our hopes of long term sovereignty. 

It's my hope that the various governments will make this a priority ... soon!
 

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