United Reformed Church in call to save British farmers

Members of the United Reformed Church have been asked to look more carefully at what they eat, to help save British farmers.

A move to support farmers and growers who, it was said, are "often treated unfairly" by supermarkets, received whole-hearted backing from more than 400 people who attended the Church's General Assembly in Edinburgh over the weekend.

Church members are being asked to consider what they buy and eat - to use goods that are fairly traded and locally produced as much as possible - to reduce injustice and unfairness.

The Assembly, which brings together church members from across England, Scotland and Wales, was told that farmers were going out of business at an alarming rate.

The Rev Janet Flawn, from Northumberland, who is also rural consultant to the Church's Northern Synod, said: "We need to be fair to farmers in our own country, as well as those in other countries."

Together with other Churches, the United Reformed Church will explore how supermarket policies can be influenced, to reduce "abuse of their powers" in determining prices.

The Rev Graham Jones, national rural officer for the United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church, was among those at the Assembly.

Afterwards, he said: "I am delighted by this stand. Churches have been at the forefront of the campaign for fair-trade in developing countries and are now recognising that there needs to be justice in our domestic markets. The two go together; both reflect the necessary move towards valuing our food more highly.

"That doesn't mean simply being prepared to pay more, but taking a greater interest in where food comes from, and how it is produced. Local, seasonal produce will be healthier for us, for our rural communities and for the environment".