Lord Carey says: "I was fortunate enough to be brought up in an unprivileged, working class home in the east end of London where our home was completely destroyed in the Blitz in 1940. This gave me a sense of the gift of life and the importance of values that transcend possessions. Following two years in the Royal Air Force, an unexpected encounter with Christianity led me to explore ordination. I went on to serve in academia and church, ending my service as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002.

"My concerns have remained consistent through my long life: Inequality remains an ugly stain in a rich world, greed and over-production are wilfully destroying nature and wars ensure that the very poor remain bottom of the heap. I am delighted to identify with the values of Compassion in World Farming".