My Dear People,

I write at a time when the church is celebrating Rogationtide. Traditionally, this is a time when Christians prayed for God's blessings on their crops and other aspects of their work on the land. As a community which enjoys many benefits from the farming industry it is important that we are aware of what is
happening, and that we support our farmers in our prayers. Quite simply, our farming industry which was encouraged and resourced to 'dig for victory' and become self sufficient due to the experience and trauma of food shortages during the war has, over the years, adapted and come to terms with a 'strategy for
sustainable farming and food.' This has now reached a climax with the introduction of the Common
Agricultural Policy 'Single Payment Scheme 2005' and the Environmental Stewardship scheme.

This marks a complete shift in emphasis from the priority of increasing food production marked out by a subsidy based system, to a set flat payment to farmers, irrespective of the crops grown or livestock kept, based purely on the area which is farmed. This amount will be significantly lower for those in severely
disadvantaged areas which in itself could have a high impact on many rural communities, especially upland areas. At the same time, farmers are asked to put in place sound environmental practices. From this it
appears that greater and greater demands will be placed on farmers with fewer and fewer rewards, not least in the fiercely competitive world economy, the stranglehold which large supermarkets have in keeping prices down, the move to a market led system and the call to diversify. DEFRA has itself acknowledged the effects of this.

Because of this two perspectives need to be considered: the impact on individual farmers, their livelihoods and families, and the impact on our countryside - the responsibility for stewardship of God's creation and a healthy and sufficient food supply. It is because of all this that we need to recognise that farmers play a valuable role not only in the production of quality food supplies, but in how they maintain a beautiful, well kept countryside; suppliers of environmental benefits which we all take great delight in, especially during the holiday season. Please remember our farmers in your prayers and the farming industry at this time of great change as they consider the best way to respond to these new reforms. Above all let us take account that one of the biggest means of support we can give to any community, not least a rural community, is to think carefully about where we buy, and where the produce comes from.

I would also like to invite you to a special fleecing service on Tuesday June 19th, 2007, 11.00am at
Cawthorne Parish Church, Barnsley where Bishop Stephen will lead us in an act of worship during which a sheep will be sheared and its fleece placed upon the altar. This symbolic act reminds us of the spiritual
dimension of farming and the countryside, as well as the influence farming has upon food, the countryside and rural communities. Our active
involvement in this event will display our continued support and interest in the farming industry, as well as serving to deepen our awareness of the joys and challenges farmers face at a time of rapid change. It will also help us enter our season of Rogationtide fully with both heart and mind and give thanks to God for all that is good in farming along with asking for His blessing upon our farmers.

Dennis Handley