By Rev. David Beckmann
We need you stop a last-minute proposal that will have disastrous effects for people who are hungry across the world. Please call (800/826-3688) or email your U.S. representative and your U.S. senators. Tell Congress to oppose any changes to cargo preference that would increase the transportation cost of U.S. food aid.
A proposal will likely be considered this week that would increase the requirements of cargo that needs to be carried on U.S. ships from 50 to 75 percent. In April 2014, the Department of Homeland Security warned that increasing these requirements on U.S. food aid would jack up transportation costs for U.S. international food aid programs by $75 million annually. This would result in as many as 2 million vulnerable people losing access to life-saving food aid from the United States.
It’s a scandal that a few shipping companies could reverse important food-aid reforms that Congress and the president — with the support of many anti-hunger groups — recently achieved. The proposed increase in the cargo preference would take away food assistance from 2 million of the world’s most desperate people — and all to increase the subsidies that just a few shipping companies receive! Given the recent surge in humanitarian needs around the world, it is urgent that U.S. food aid reaches as many people as possible.
Thank you for raising your voice for people in need at this crucial time. Call or email Congress today.
Rev. David Beckmann is the president of Bread for the World.
