The drive by United States poultry farmers to win more
rights in contracts with processors failed by a narrow 26-24 vote by federal
politicians.
Andy Harris, a Republican from Maryland, made the motion in committee
that denies funding so the federal government could regulate poultry-industry
contracting.
Similar votes to deny funding have happened in the past.
The vote drew praise from the National Chicken Council,
which lobbies for processing companies, and dismay from the National Farmers’
Union and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
The Chicken Farmers of Ontario marketing board has often
drawn attention to the plight of chicken contractors during its annual
meetings, aiming to solidify support for supply management.
