South Africa's Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (80), revered around the world for his life-long fight against the oppression of people, became the first world leader today to embrace our planet and all its inhabitants in a new vision for the future.

By signing Compassion in World Farming's Vision for Fair Food and Farming at an official event recently at his Cape Town office, Archbishop Tutu leads the way towards a new era of sustainable, humane, and environmentally-responsible farming methods.

Said Tozie Zokufa, Compassion's South African Representative: "We thank Tata for signing Compassion's Vision for Fair Food and Farming. Tata's signature today is a triumph for the Earth, all its people, as well as for farmed animals."

Said Archbishop Tutu: "I support this Vision for Fair Food and Farming, being so aware as I am of the cruelty that we mete out to animals whether to fatten them just in order to slaughter them, or whether we pile up chickens and not care really for their suffering - in order to increase our profits. I hope we will learn that we are related to the animals and to Nature and if we destroy the balance, we are ultimately going to suffer and pay the price. I hope we can make many of our people support this initiative by Compassion in World Farming."

In its vision for Fair Food and Farming, Compassion calls for the global adoption of food and agricultural policies, including incentives, which deliver all the following elements:

• Good health by ensuring universal access to sufficient and nutritious food
• Sustainable farming methods which support rural livelihoods and relieve poverty
• Protection for the planet and its precious resources: soil, water; forest and biodiversity
• Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from agriculture
• Humane farming methods which promote the health and natural behaviour of sentient animals and avoid causing them pain and suffering
• Reduced consumption of animal products in high-consuming populations to meet environmental, health and sustainability goals

• For further information, please go to
  www.visionforfairfood.org