The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is currently gathering claims from around 50 poultry growers who have not received payment under contracts with Pure Prairie Poultry, who recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This follows the shutdown of a northern Iowa chicken processing plant less than two years after receiving substantial federal funding. As a result of the plant’s closure, state departments in Iowa and Minnesota are coordinating efforts to address the welfare of approximately 1.6 million broiler chickens that are at risk of being euthanized due to the company’s inability to purchase feed.
In Iowa, an emergency court order has been granted for the state to take control of around 1.3 million chickens from 14 farmers, while in Minnesota, approximately 300,000 chickens are facing similar fates. This situation has led to a call for intervention from animal welfare organizations. Despite the challenges faced by Pure Prairie Poultry, USDA officials maintain that expanding local meat processing capacity remains a priority.
Photo Credit: The USDA
Comments