Source: MEATINGPLACE, 3/12/15

Congressmen Jim Costa (D.-Calif.), and Steve Womack (R.-Ark.) announced the formation of a bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus in the House of Representatives.    The caucus will serve as a formal group whose mission is to educate members of Congress and others about key issues for U.S. chicken producers, including food safety, international trade, labor, animal welfare, immigration and environmental topics.    

“We look forward to growing the caucus' membership, working together to educate members, and advancing the issues that are important to the U.S. chicken industry,” Womack said.    U.S. chicken producers are responsible for more than 300,000 jobs, including 280,000 directly and 25,000 family farmers, with major operations in more than 30 states, according to the congressmen’s statement. The chicken industry produces products with a wholesale value of $60 billion.  

Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council, thanked Womack and Costa for spearheading development of the caucus and working to increase its membership.

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