For farmers, foresters and fishers, their families and communities and all who depend on them
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER

For farmers who struggle to make a living, especially tenant farmers and those who have large amounts of debt to service....

For those who maintain high standards of animal husbandry, but are undercut by unfair competition, for livestock hauliers and auctioneers, for vets and agricultural advisers.....

For those who are seeking, instead of maximising production, to reduce chemical inputs and adopt eco-friendly practices...

For farming families under stress, for farm women, for the Women's Food and Farming Union and its work in promoting locally produced food and opportunities for diversification....

For support groups - Rural Stress Information Network, Farmers World Network and
Rural Minds and for agricultural chaplains....

For foresters, balancing long term investment and short term economic return, for the development of sustainable woodland and increased use of coppicing products, for the use of trees and hedges to improve the micro climate and bio-diversity....

For fishing communities adapting to massive change, for an end to vicious rivalry within
the European Community, for wisdom in implementing policies that will sustain and renew
fish stocks while ensuring the viability of fishing businesses....

For restraint and fairness in the use of economic power, for discernment and a long term view in policy and decision, for a love of creation and a high view of human stewardship....
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER. AMEN.

Jenny Carpenter, Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire