Take Action: Oxfam , ONE Campaign
`"The opportunity comes once every five years to reform the farm bill and it's critically important that we capitalize on it. Accepting a reform amendment that removes inefficiencies in the bill is vital in order for small farmers in developing countries to improve their livelihoods and escape poverty." Erin Erlenborn, director of government affairs, the ONE Campaign."
The following from Oxfam, an international aid organization dedicated to reducing corporate subsidies which undermine small farmers in the US and Worldwide:
Together with a diverse group of allies, we're calling on every member of the House of Representatives to vote yes on the "Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment," which will shift funds from trade-distorting subsidies to other domestic priorities and it will help poor farmers abroad too!Join us and call on your Representative to vote in support of a reformed Farm Bill!!!
-Laura Rusu, press officer, Oxfam America
Take Action: Oxfam , ONE Campaign
Farm bill: It's not 'reform.' It's an assault on reason.
Fairness Amendment:
Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment
About the Healthy Farms, Healthy Food Campaign
Improve the Farm Bill! Support the Fairness Amendment
Take Action: Oxfam , ONE Campaign
Those of us watching the House Agriculture Committee deliberations on the 2007 Farm Bill last week were privy to an elaborate show of smoke and mirrors. What was billed as reform was actually the opposite. Although we didn't really think it was possible, the new Farm Bill proposed by the House Agriculture Committee actually takes our food and farm policy from bad to worse!The proposed Farm Bill continues massive taxpayer support to the biggest and richest farmers, while doing little for small farmers, minority producers, anti-hunger programs, or the environment. It also continues to encourage overproduction and dumping of agriculture surpluses, such as cotton, on developing country farmers who are struggling to lift themselves out of poverty. THIS IS NOT REFORM. In fact, the Committee has sold out American family farmers to the highest bidder and left struggling farmers in poor countries in the dust.
Call me na+»ve, but I still have some hope that the House of Representatives is going to do the right thing and vote for a reformed Farm Bill on Thursday. In fact, a bipartisan amendment will be introduced to shift funds from trade-distorting subsidies to other priorities, such as food stamps, conservation, and programs that help minority and socially disadvantaged farmers. If approved, it will help us take important first steps on a new course toward real reform of family farm and food policy.
Together with a diverse group of allies, we're calling on every member of the House of Representatives to vote yes on the "Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment," which will shift funds from trade-distorting subsidies to other domestic priorities and it will help poor farmers abroad too!
Join us and call on your Representative to vote in support of a reformed Farm Bill!!!
-Laura Rusu, press officer, Oxfam America
More Info:
A Status Quo Farm Bill Is Simply Unjust
House Farm Bill Faces Amendments
Farm Bill reform: CFRA's analysis of Farm21