FEW will disagree with the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, who in Blackburn Diocese's monthly newsletter speaks out in support of farmers.

We have said many times that if rural industry is to survive in this country, the government has got to get behind our farmers, who are going out of business at an alarming rate.

The Bishop's view that it seems scandalous that millions starve when our farmers are being told to cut back on food production because the market will not pay for the cost of that production, will also strike a chord with many.

Sadly, there is no guarantee that surplus, potentially life-saving crops produced in the west will reach those who are starving.

In the last few days we have seen horrendous pictures coming out of Ethiopia where the government puts its long-running war with Eritrea before help for a section of its poplulation starving to death.

The Ethiopians have demonstrated that the solution appears to be beyond man.

Perhaps God has the answer.