Comment – product placement and revolting peasants

I’ve spent rather too much time glued to the TV this week, riveted by the sight of all those tractors spreading muck, moving bales etc.. No I haven’t  found a new farming channel, but rather it’s the protesting season on the other side of the channel. What is interesting, is that it’s not just our French colleagues, but across other EU countries too.

Whilst I am sure that UK tractor brand managers and marketing managers are torn between delight and horror at quite so many hues of green, red and blue machines on the ‘telly, it does beg the question. Why?

The  European farmers grievances are real, and substantially mirrored on this side of the water, there is a strong political drive to reduce production, driven by climate change and full bellies, and a complete disjoint with those closer to the action, ie the farmers. As all those banners on motorway bridges scream ‘Pas d’agriculture, pas de nourriture’. No farming, no food, quite.

I particularly enjoyed the interview with the leader of one young farmers group saying that ‘They could protest for some time, but that they would have to get back to the fields shortly.” I expect Father pointed that out over breakfast earlier in the week.

Not being keen on politics (or most politicians)  has its advantages in these situations, and its interesting watching the rapid U turns of one EU politician after another as ‘concessions’ are now being made to the farmers and the EU is accelerating its ‘consultation’ on CAP reform.

I know with our UK civil disobedience legislation, we would soon be marched in front of the beak for rolling some average silage bales through the door of McDonalds, or jetting some of the countries finest dairy slurry into the garden of No 10. Especially given our righteous indignation when ‘Just Stop Oil’ *(other wealthy protest groups are also available) stop the M25, or throws paint at a snooker table.

Are we just a much less militant lot in the UK, or are we generally not inclined to ‘that kind of thing’?  One imagines  the current government have a definition of ‘British Values’ which stretches to quiet complaining (amongst friends only) as the only level of protest not deserving of a custodial sentence.

Oh well, will just have to remember when I’m moving the ewes with the quad over the weekend,  that it’s a gathering of more than 6 and permission may be required.

Examples of polite civil disobedience on a postcard please.

Have a good week.

Andy