The National Chicken Council this week held its annual “Day in Washington” meeting during which NCC members met with Members of Congress to discuss issues vital to the U.S. chicken industry. The chicken industry was well represented at the more than sixty Capitol Hill meetings that were scheduled on Wednesday. NCC members urged Members of Congress to approve the Renewable Fuel Standard Flexibility Act, clarify the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Act, and approve Permanent Normal Trade Relations for Russia.
Other issues discussed included the Mexico anti-dumping duties case, two congressional letters sent to Ambassador Kirk on opening up trade with India, the need for Congress to increase funding for the National Poultry Improvement Plan, and the need for sound science while considering any antibiotics legislation.
Members of Congress were also made aware of the newly formed Congressional Chicken Caucus, which was formed on January 18 by Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA), both who co-chair the caucus to educate Members of Congress about the contributions and concerns of the U.S. chicken industry.
To formally kick off the caucus, Representatives Sanford Bishop and Rick Crawford on Wednesday hosted a luncheon in the U.S. Capitol. The luncheon was attended by about 100 people, including congressional members of the Chicken Caucus, their staff members, chicken industry leaders, and NCC staff. The lunch was sponsored by McDonald’s, who provided grilled chicken sandwiches and chicken wraps for the event. The caucus presently has close to 30 Members and additional Members of Congress committed to joining the caucus during lunch. Photos from the luncheon are included below.
Feedback from those NCC members who participated in the Day in Washington was positive and all said that their investment of time and effort was well worth it. NCC members who were not able to attend Day in Washington may wish to forward the issue papers available here and send them to their Members of Congress with a cover letter.
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- Harrison Kircher (NCC) and Tom Hensley (Fieldale Farms)
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- Mike Brown (NCC) and Rep. Larrry Kissell (D-NC)
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- Rep. Crawford (R-AR) with Ag LA Chris Jones
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- Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) has lunch with Alan Duncan (Mountaire Farms)
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- Representatives from lunch sponsor, McDonald’s
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- Jim Perdue (Perdue Farms) with Rep. John Carney (D-DE)
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- NCC President Mike Brown with Chicken Caucus Co-chairs Reps. Bishop (D-GA) and Crawford (R-AR)
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- Rep. Bishop (D-GA) addresses lunch attendees, while Rep. Crawford (R-AR), NCC President Mike Brown & USPOULTRY President John Starkey look on
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- Tommy Bagwell (American Proteins) talks with Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA)
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- Tommy Bagwell (American Proteins) and Mike Brown (NCC)
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- Mark Hickman (Peco Foods) and Tom Shelton (Case Foods)
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- NCC President Mike Brown addresses lunch attendees
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- Chicken Caucus Co-chair Rep. Rick Crawford addresses lunch attendees
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- Chicken Caucus Co-chair Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) addresses lunch attendees
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- Mike Brown (NCC), Hobey Bauhan (VA Poultry Federation) and Mike Helgeson (GNP)
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- Tommy Bagwell (American Proteins) talks with Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR)
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- Matt Mika (Tyson Foods), Marvin Childers (The Poultry Federation), Alan Duncan (Mountaire Farms)
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- Jim Perdue of Perdue Farms talks with Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA)
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- Sara Lilygren (Tyson Foods) talks with Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Jack Kingston (R-GA) and John Carney (D-DE)
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- Stephen Gray (Fieldale Farms) talks with Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA)
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- Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) chats with congressional staffers
