USCCB, other Catholic organizations weigh in on farm bill, call for reduction in subsidies

May 13, 2013

The chairmen of two committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have joined the leaders of Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, and the National Catholic Rural Life Conference in weighing in on five aspects of the 2013 Farm Bill.

Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, called “adequate funding levels in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and other programs that help hungry people.”

The bishops and other Catholic leaders also discussed international food security and development, conservation, rural development, and subsidies in a May 9 letter to the leadership of the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

“In these times of financial hardship, our public policies should call for shared sacrifice,” they said in reference to subsidies. “Given current high commodity prices and federal budget constraints, agricultural subsidies and direct payments can be reduced overall, and targeted to small and moderate-sized farms, especially minority owned-farms. Government resources should assist those who truly need assistance and support those who comply with environmentally sound and sustainable farming practices.”

 

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Further information:

• Farm Bill Should Assist Hungry At Home And Abroad, Help Struggling Farmers, Promote Stewardship, Say Catholic Leaders In Letter (USCCB)
• Full text of letter (USCCB)
• US Farm Bill (New York Times)