Cost of high productivity
I note that Edwina and Michael Beveridge of Blantyre Farms were featured as speakers at an event, ‘Farming towards 2035’, an initiative of NSW Farmers held at a Wagga forum on Tuesday, September 20.
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I applaud NSW farmers who wish to stay abreast of current developments and I am sure such events play a positive and productive role in this regard.
I am also confident that experienced and ethical farmers will seek out additional information in their ongoing quest for knowledge and improved farming practices and technology.
I am equally confident that NSW farmers value and appreciate their customers and changing consumer and public views in general and would agree that ongoing open dialogue is critical.
I am further mindful that the status of individual farming operators does not negatively impact other farmers.
The Blantyre Farms operations may indeed be highly productive but at what expense?
The Beveridges have been the target of animal activists but the question to ask is why?
The NSW Farmers Association perhaps needs to explore these matters and then determine what it and its members stand for.
Edwina and Michael Beveridge are very adept at self-promotion and equally quick to denigrate and dismiss legitimate and valid concerns and objections to their intensive farming operations.
This has been very much the case with their current proposal for a duplicate intensive piggery in the Harden region.
Because absolute transparency of public information is important, in addition to their claims regarding the Carbon Farming Initiative, did Blantyre Farms also share with the event audience:
• the July 8 2016 written advice from the NSW Environment Protection Authority in regards to the General Terms of Approval and corresponding license;
• the July 29 2016 written advice from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage in regards to an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP)?
Lisa J Ryan
Say No To Blantyre Farms In Harden
Stark dementia figures
During Dementia Awareness Month, which runs throughout September, Alzheimer’s Australia is calling for greater awareness and understanding of dementia so people living with the condition feel less isolated and alone.
There are more than 353,000 Australians with dementia and an estimated 1.2 million people involved in the care of someone with dementia.
In the Albury, Cootamundra, Murray and Wagga electorates there are an estimated 5400 people living with dementia.
That figure is projected to increase to about 10,500 by 2050.
A survey just released by Alzheimer’s Australia has found that people with dementia are almost twice as likely to have high rates of loneliness, and people with dementia and carers are significantly more lonely than the general population around them.
We hear repeatedly that when someone is diagnosed with dementia, friendships and some family relationships suddenly disappear because people simply don’t know how to interact with their friend or loved one with dementia.
Treating people with the same respect, kindness, inclusiveness and thoughtfulness you always have is what makes a difference to them.
They are still the same person they were before the diagnosis.
They just may need a little bit more time, understanding and support.
I encourage your readers to find out more by going to www.fightdementia.org.au.