United Church Social Policy Positions

WHEREAS primary food production policy needs to reflect an understanding of sustainability;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 33rd General Council endorses the following principles of Sustainable Agriculture:

1. Ecological Soundness
   • Natural soil properties are retained or improved, while soil fertility is increased; a healthy human ecology is promoted by the production of safe, nutritious foods, reliance upon renewable resources, and minimized external inputs; and appropriate utilization of the agro-climatic resource base.
2. Economic Viability
   • Supporting an economy that will continue to thrive and assure a fair return to those involved in the production process while similarly assuring reasonable retail prices, taking into consideration all costs, subsidies, and qualitative inputs.
3. Socially Just
   • Meeting the basic needs of all, while assuring basic rights, insuring fair equitable access to the resources of production, and decisions as to how these resources are utilized (especially including the participation of women, youth, indigenous people, and farm workers).
4. Humane
   • Embodying basic religious/spiritual values, recognizing an identity with and respect for all life; sustaining healthy, thriving communities; emphasizing agriculture in contrast to agribusiness.

General Council: 33rd General Council, 1990

Record of Proceedings Page Ref. p. 166-7.