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Politics & Government

Rally Shows Local Support for Fair Farm Bill

A group of about 30 called on Sen. Casey to support laws that protect independent farms.

About 30 people gathered at the edge of the Lehigh University campus Thursday in support of local farms and to publicly call for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey to support passage of the Fair Farm Bill.

“We believe that everyone is dependent on shared natural resources, which must be regulated in the public interest rather than for private gain,” said Mara Schechter, a field organizer for Food & Water Watch.

The group has collected thousands of signatures on a petition calling for the Fair Farm Bill to be passed, and planned to present them to Casey's staff during a planned meeting in Philadelphia later in the afternoon.

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Schechter said that nearly 27,000 mid-size independent family farms have been driven out of business nationally in the past five years, and additionally, those remaining are squeezed by a market that favors factory farm practices.

The proposed Fair Farm Rules or GIPSA rules, include measures that would ensure a more level playing field for independent farmers, growers and ranchers, she said.

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“Due to corporate agribusiness’s opposition, the GIPSA rules have yet to be finalized and implemented. Senator Casey has not taken a side on the rules, so local food justice leaders are publicly calling on Senator Casey, as a key member of the Agriculture Committee, to stand up for Pennsylvania’s small farmers and support the implementation of the Fair Farm Rules,” Schechter added.

Eric Ruth, of the Bethlehem-based Kellyn Foundation, which advocates healthier foods in schools, said the foundation supports the passage of the bill as well.

“Small farms are the foundation of personal, environmental, and economic health,” Ruth said. “Everyone talks about health care reform, but changing the food system is the real issue and will fix problems with our health care.”

Also among the group meeting with Casey's staff was Lynn Prior, director of the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign for the Lehigh Valley, who stated, “The GIPSA rules are a first step towards getting a fairer food policy in this country. Implementation of these rules will set a precedent for fairness for our family farmers, who need support in order to compete against large agribusinesses. We are looking to Senator Casey to provide a voice in Washington for our many family farmers to ensure that they can continue to survive.”

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