Opinion|Reader’s opinion
It is a national shame that those who keep us alive will have to produce food with debt.
Finn agriculture has run into unprecedented predicament as production costs have risen sharply. Rising energy and fertilizer prices have pushed many farms out of business, and additional loans promised by the state do not adequately rehabilitate operations. Continuing to be unprofitable with loan money is not on a sustainable basis, but other means are needed.
Eating is vital to all of us and it is downright incomprehensible that it is not profitable to produce food. We rely too much on food coming from abroad on ships, because there is not much to count on it. Areas suitable for food production are shrinking and population growth is increasing the demand for food everywhere. The only way to ensure that Finns eat is to ensure self-sufficiency.
As there does not appear to be a supply of medicines at the prices received by primary producers, new ways are needed to secure the survival and future of the farms. One way could be to add a security of supply charge to food prices, which is already familiar from electricity bills. A security of supply charge of 10 to 20 cents could be added to each kilogram of food sold, which is distributed directly to Finnish farms in proportion to their production of food on the market. The security of supply levy would also apply to food imported from abroad, so that it does not affect the competitiveness of products in the domestic market.
Now, if ever, quick action is needed to save and revitalize Finnish agriculture. It is a national shame that those who keep us alive will have to produce food with debt. The increase in profitability would also attract young people to the sector, who will continue Finnish glorious agriculture in the future. At the same time, it would support the vitality of rural communities and improve the chances of overcoming the challenges of decades.
Yuri Laurila
Rovaniemi
Reader opinions are speeches written by HS readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.
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