Home arrow News and Events Menu arrow Support Bargaining Rights for Turkey Farmers

Sustainable Farming Connection
Where farmers find and share information.

Support Bargaining Rights
for Turkey Farmers


Problem is part of a growing trend that includes fruits, vegetables, hogs, beef.


See also: Factory/corporate farming links.

[10/24/97] -- As families get ready to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, turkey farmers are denied basic bargaining rights available to most Americans.

The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture today announced its support for legislation that would give turkey farmers and other family farmers the basic bargaining rights available to most Americans -- rights that would help ensure a fair market price for their goods and protect family farms.

"As Americans get ready to sit down for their Thanksgiving turkey dinner, turkey farmers and other family farmers are denied the basic bargaining rights they need to get a fair price for their goods from the big corporate food processors," Loni Kemp, Co-chair of the Campaign, said. "That's why we need to give family farmers bargaining power by passing the Family Farmer Marketing Amendments of 1997. It's a matter of basic fairness."

Kemp went on to say, "This legislation requires big corporate processors such as Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, ConAgra and Monsanto to bargain in good faith with voluntarily formed cooperatives of farmers. It gives the Secretary of Agriculture responsibility for mediating deadlocked disputes and provides the Secretary with investigative and enforcement authority."

John Morrison of the National Contract Poultry Growers praised the legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). "This legislation gives family farmers the tools they need to restore some balance to the marketplace."

Morrison went on to say, "It is important to realize that this problem is not limited to poultry farmers, but is a growing trend in agriculture that includes fruits, vegetables, hogs, and beef. Without basic farmer bargaining rights, the further industrialization of agriculture threatens the independence of family farms and the health of rural communities."

Therese Tuttle, of the National Farmers' Union, added "This bill, which would require the processors to come to the table, is essential for market fairness."

The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture is a network of over 500 groups working to strengthen family farms, protect the environment and foster a sustainable food and agriculture system.

Source: News release from the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, P.O. Box 396, Pine Bush, NY 12566, (914) 744-8448, Fax: (914) 744-8477; email: Campaign@magiccarpet.com.

For more information contact:
  • Rob Horowitz: 732-940-6417
  • John Morrison: 318-251-9227
Top of Page

Home arrow News and Events Menu arrow Support Bargaining Rights for Turkey Farmers


©1997 Committee for Sustainable Farm Publishing

Please read about our usage permission policy and disclaimer.

Send comments, suggestions and questions to the site author:
Craig Cramer cdcramer@clarityconnect.com

Coded using HoTMetaL Pro 3.0. Best viewed in Netscape 3.0 or later.
Please see our credits page for more information.

http://sunsite.unc.edu/farming-connection/news/stories/971025.htm