Target: Brooke Rollins, US Secretary of Agriculture
Goal: Hold agribusinesses accountable for exploiting contract farmers and ensure fair treatment and sustainable practices.
The U.S. poultry industry is facing serious scrutiny over its contract farming model, which has left many farmers destitute while large corporations like Tyson and Perdue amass staggering profits. Despite the poultry industry generating over $70 billion in revenue, the farmers raising these birds are drowning in debt and facing financial ruin as they invest heavily in facilities with little to no profit in return. These farmers often take out substantial loans, sometimes over a million dollars, to build poultry houses, only to find that the payment structure and fluctuating compensation lead to insufficient earnings that do not cover their debts.
Integrators, the large agribusinesses that provide the animals and feed, maintain strict control over the farmers’ operations, leaving them vulnerable and reliant on a tournament system that can result in drastic pay disparities. Many farmers allege they are subjected to penalties for factors beyond their control, such as receiving sickly chicks or delayed feed deliveries, leading to severe financial consequences. In extreme cases, integrators have canceled contracts abruptly, leaving farmers with no means to repay their debts or care for their animals.
It is imperative that action is taken to reform this exploitative system, which prioritizes corporate profits over the livelihoods of farmers and the welfare of animals. The USDA needs to enhance regulations to ensure equitable practices in contract farming, and to protect farmers from the capricious and often ruinous actions of agribusinesses. Every farmer deserves fair compensation for their labor, as well as the right to raise animals under conditions that meet basic welfare standards.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Rollins,
The current state of contract farming in the U.S. poultry industry has reached a critical and alarming point. Farmers are reportedly facing insurmountable debt and impoverished conditions while large corporations like Tyson reap billions in profits. This deeply troubling model has been financially devastating for what is often a hardworking farming community, as many farmers have had to invest massively in infrastructure only to find themselves financially shackled by unfair contract terms.
Reports indicate that contract farmers are subjected to a payment structure that varies drastically based on arbitrary performance metrics and factors outside their control, leading many to earn as little as $12,000 a year while working grueling hours. Additionally, contract cancellations have left these farmers in dire straits, facing financial ruin without notice or support. This exploitation not only devastates the livelihoods of farmers but also contributes to animal suffering within these contract systems.
We urge you to take immediate action by enforcing stricter regulations on contract farming practices to ensure fair payments and humane treatment of animals. Implement policies that protect farmers from predatory practices and create a sustainable agricultural framework. It is time to bring accountability to agribusinesses that have profited from this systemic exploitation, allowing farmers to thrive rather than suffer under crippling debts and corporate control.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
