The toll of capitalism

A New Zealand comrade thought the blog would find this localnewspaper’s article of interest. 

 At least four farmers have taken their lives since Fonterra cut its milk payout forecast for the coming season. On December 10, the dairy giant dropped its payout forecast for 2014-15 to an eight-year low of $4.70 a kilogram of milk solids. That's nearly half the $8.40 paid in the 2013-14 season and is estimated to mean an income drop for farmers of $6.6 billion.

Several industry experts blame high levels of rural debt for increased stress on farmers. In total, 14 farmers have taken their lives in the past six months, Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean said. Financial pressure was a big burden. Younger farmers and other new entrants to the industry often battled, not having the backing that an established farm had. Suicide rates had been reducing among farmers in the past eight years, from 28 in 2007 to 22 in the year to June last year. But in the second half of last year, 14 farmers committed suicide. "That comes back to an annual rate of 28, which is what it used to be eight years ago." Six of the 14 were aged 35-44.

"If they reach the depths of depression and can't think straight, financial pressure is one of the things that puts them in that spot." Explained Federated Farmers’ West Coast president and mental health spokesperson, Katie Milne.

Te Aroha farmer Sue McKay added: "I also know some local hospitals have a number of farmers in them from attempted suicide. If there's three in one ward alone, there will be more in other hospitals."

Urenui farmer John White, tried to take his life. He believed the reduced payouts would be of concern for many farmers. "It's worse in recent times with fluctuating payouts and no steady income as such. Financial pressure is usually a trigger point," he said.

December hit farmers hard in the pocket. Whole milk powder prices were down 11 per cent in the month and 52 per cent lower than a year earlier. Cheese also dropped 5 per cent over the month.

Capitalism and the vagaries of its market can indeed be a matter of life and death for some on the receiving end of this buy and sell society.