FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2007 Contact: Laura Rusu (202) 496-3620 or (202) 459-3739 or lrusu@oxfamamerica.org FISCAL CONSERVATIVES, ENVIRONMENTALISTS, FAITH GROUPS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVISTS OPPOSE SHAM REFORM BILL Washington, DC— On the eve of the 2007 Farm Bill debate by the House of Representatives on Thursday, a diverse group of public interest organizations and faith groups gathered on Capitol Hill to call on every Member of the House of Representatives to support real reform and vote in favor of the FAIRNESS IN FARM AND FOOD POLICY AMENDMENT introduced by Rep. Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Flake (R-AZ). Below are some quotes in support of the amendment. "If members from both parties vote for the interests of the people in their districts, the Fairness Amendment to the Farm Bill will win. Whether it is more money for small family farmers, conservation, an increase in food stamp benefits, or healthier school lunches, the "Fairness amendment" is the only option.” Ken Cook, President of EWG "It turns out the USDA treats dead farmers better than black farmers who are alive. The fairness gap that has ignored thousands of black farmers for decades can finally be closed as Congress considers a new farm policy for the country.” Dr. John Boyd, founder of the National Black Farmers Association “It is crucial that our agriculture producers receive the necessary tools and funding to promote sustainable farming practices, preserve open space and wildlife habitat, and help protect public health.” Karen Wayland, legislative director, Resources Defense Council “The Fairness Amendment is the only farm bill proposal that approaches justice. It will make our nation’s farm policy for farmers in the 21st century and help people who struggle to feed their families.” Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World “Congress is faced with a real test of moral leadership in changing currently unjust policy that props up the wealthiest farmers and landowners at the expense of struggling family farms and people living in poverty at home and abroad. The Fairness Amendment provides desperately needed reform to improve conservation, nutrition, rural development.” Rev. Jim Wallis, Editor and Executive Director of Sojourners/Call to Renewal “If we fail to provide real reform to trade distorting commodity programs, then our subsidized export is not food, but poverty for the developing world.” Rev. Dr. Earl Trent Jr. of the Progressive National Baptist Convention “The Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment would reduce and restructure subsidies to help reward -- not reject -- farmers when they take steps to help the environment.” Scott Faber, Farm Policy Campaign Director, Environmental Defense “Unless the House of Representatives modifies the legislation reported earlier this month, the American food and agricultural system will be left without the long-term investments necessary to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.” Jennifer Weber, RD, MPH, manager for National Nutrition Policy, American Dietetic Association “It is critical that we start the process of moving U.S. farm policy away from trade-distorting support toward more market-oriented revenue-based programs. This will enhance our opportunity to negotiate increased market access for U.S. agriculture and other goods and services and will reduce the harm our policies cause for agricultural producers in developing countries.” Jennifer Potter, president & CEO, Initiative for Global Development “This farm bill stinks of rotten programs and taxpayer waste. Lawmakers need to do more than just hold their noses and vote for another pile of farm bill slop this year. The Fairness amendment gives them the opportunity to start cleaning up farm programs, making them market oriented, less costly and trade compliant.” Steve Ellis, vice president, Taxpayers for Common Sense “Make no mistake about it: the 2007 Farm Bill as reported by the Agriculture Committee provides absolutely no reform of archaic farm subsidies. The “fairness amendment” should be adopted by the House. Otherwise, farm programs will continue to undermine the economy of rural America, interfere with international commerce, and hurt poor farmers in developing countries, while also being costly to U.S. taxpayers and raising prices to consumers.” Thomas A. Schatz, president, The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste "Unfortunately, commodity payments to the largest and richest farms continue to be the staple of food and farm policy. The Family Farm Reform Amendment will constitute true farm bill reform, something that Latino and other minority farmers and ranchers deserve. It is time that our farmers and ranchers were treated as equals." Antonio Gonzalez, president, the William C. Velasquez Institute “The Farm Bill isn’t just for farmers. This farm bill is the most important poverty vote and the most important environmental vote that the Congress will make this year. It is essential for Democratic leaders to demonstrate that, contrary to popular myth, they don’t need to tax and spend to serve the broader interests of all Americans, just the courage to enact REAL reform.” Jim Lyons, vice president, Oxfam America “Our misguided policies have played a direct toll in the dramatic increase in diet-related health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. And because our agricultural policies have made unhealthy foods the most inexpensive, low income Americans are hit the hardest.” Neal Barnard, MD, president, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine “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. Other groups in support of the amendment include Farmworker Justice, Sojourners/Call to Renewal, William C. Velasquez Institute, The United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society, Club for Growth, The Episcopal Church, Initiative for Global Development, NETWORK. /ENDS