The New York Times Opinion section last week posted a video titled, “See The True Cost of Cheap Chicken,” which featured welfare allegations from activists, criticism of the grower-integrator relationship, while advocating for increased food costs. In addition to a statement released last week, NCC submitted a letter to the editor of the New York Times that appears in today’s print edition.
In addition to today’s paper, the letter is also posted online and is pasted below.
To the Editor:
“See The True Cost of Cheap Chicken” is a propaganda piece whose goal seems to be to make meat more expensive, as articulated by the president of Mercy for Animals near the end: “Chicken should be closer to $6 a pound, not $1 a pound.” This comes even as Americans are dealing with the highest inflation in 40 years.
Mercy for Animals spends millions of dollars a year imposing its agenda on consumers — which is eliminating meat from the diet and encouraging a vegan lifestyle.
The proper care of our chickens is not only an ethical obligation, but also makes good business sense. Companies do everything possible to help farmers raise the best, healthiest chickens. The ultimate success of the company depends on the success of the farmer.
Choosing to enter into a partnership with a chicken company helps farmers manage their risk, share costs and earn a guaranteed and steady source of income. The system has helped tens of thousands of families on small farms stay on the farm who otherwise may have had to get out of agriculture altogether.
Mike Brown is president of the National Chicken Council
