Religious leaders urge equity in farm bill
Posted by Robert Fisher on October 19, 2007
Thirty-two bishops and other religious leaders in Pennsylvania have signed letters to Senators Robert Casey, Jr., and Arlen Specter, urging them to work for equity in the farm bill when the Senate takes up the legislation this month. Bishops and clergy who signed the letter represent regional offices of such theologically diverse faith communions as the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Church of the Brethren, Moravian Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and United Church of Christ.
Hand delivered on October 3, the letters signed by Pennsylvania faith leaders are part of efforts by a national religious coalition, led by the anti-hunger organization Bread for the World, advocating for changes to the farm bill that would provide more equitable support to farmers of modest means and help make progress against hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.
“It is an injustice to give priority to special interests rather than meet the most pressing needs in rural America or do what we can to reduce hunger,” said Larry Hollar, Bread for the World’s Regional Organizer for Pennsylvania. “Our nation’s farm policy must help those who need it the most—farmers of modest means, struggling rural communities and hungry people who are working to lift their families out of poverty.”
