Runcie's US Hog Clears Red Tape
Episcopal News Service. September 17, 1981 [81242]
DES MOINES, Iowa -- The prime breeding hog that Iowa Episcopalians gave to the Archbishop of Canterbury last Spring is finally being allowed to leave the United States.
The Rt. Rev. Walter C. Righter, Episcopal bishop of Iowa, announced the departure of a Berkshire gilt for presentation to the Most Rev. Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury. The gilt, as a symbolic token of a world food chain, was pledged to the archbishop during his May 6-7, 1981 visit to Iowa.
Runcie, who serves as Primate of the Church of England and spiritual leader for 70 million Anglicans worldwide, raises prize Berkshire hogs by avocation at his home in England.
The hog, presented on behalf of the Iowa Berkshire Breeders Association, is a gift of the George Biensen family, owners and operators of GK Berkshires in State Center, Iowa.
Said Righter, "The Anglican Communion is a world leader in assisting to overcome poverty. The archbishop was presented with a Berkshire gilt so it could be bred on his own farm in England. The first resulting purebreds would then be given to bishops of the Anglican Communion in other countries, where the first litters of all resulting hogs would then be given to others, eventually resulting in a 'food chain."'
Righter said arrangements and approvals for the exportation of the hog had taken four months to complete because of the complicated procedures the British and American governments faced. English animal import laws are among the most stringent in the world.
Righter said the office of Senator Roger Jepson, R. Iowa, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Global Swine Exchange of Iowa, Ltd., and Lloyd Clarke of Omega Ltd., had been particularly helpful in making arrangements for the gilt, which departed for England September 10.
"We expressed our sincere thanks to all those people involved in this effort. They have been very giving of their time and efforts on this project," said Righter. "Of course, we extend a special thanks to the Biensens for their generous gift."
Archbishop Runcie's Iowa visit was part of a 22-day tour of seven U.S. cities, his first in this country since his appointment.