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Background
On October 10, 2002, the Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture Issues, along with the Domestic Policy Committee and the International Policy Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be hosting a one-day Consultation on Global Agriculture. The one-day Consultation will be held at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas with the support of the Kansas Catholic Conference. It will include representatives of Catholic Relief Services and the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, in an effort to listen to various constituencies on topics such as the impact of globalization on agriculture, international trade, farmworkers and the environment.
The Consultation is a continuation of the work the International Policy Committee has been doing on economic globalization. The event is also the final listening session for the Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture Issues which is completing three years worth of research into the current state of American agriculture and the conditions of migrant farmworkers in the United States.
USCCB Position:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has always advocated for an agricultural system that will provide access to safe and affordable food, advocated for a system that is broadly owned, supports the family farm and rural communities, protects the dignity of those who labor in the agriculture industry, and promotes the responsible stewardship of God"s creation. The reason the Bishops have consistently advocated these principles is because what happens in rural America is of critical importance to the quality of life for the rest of the United States and the world.
For further information: Andy Rivas 202.541.3190; (fax) 202.541.3339;or
Bob Gronski, NCRLC, 515-270-2634; (fax) 515-270-9447);
Roxana Barillas 202.541.3445; (fax) 202.541.3339; rbarillas@usccb.org.