DELMARVA, DE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Chairman of its Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, participated by conference call today in the Delmarva Poultry Summit and called for a “level playing field for the poultry industry” that will help them manage their energy and feed costs.  

“The Poultry Summit was an important opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the problems facing the agriculture community and to renew our commitment to addressing the challenges they face in a responsible, transparent way,” said Senator Cardin.  “I want to see government policies that are based on the best available science and I will fight to ensure that the poultry industry remains strong and vital on the Delmarva Peninsula.”

The Senator stressed the need to end preferential treatment of corn-based ethanol and to develop responsible alternative energy sources that will help much of the agricultural community.

The Delmarva poultry industry accounts for about 4.5 percent of total chicken production nationwide. According to a recent BEACON report, the total economic value of the poultry industry on the Peninsula accounts for more than $2 billion, supporting 15,000 jobs, 5,000 chicken houses, 1,800 growers, and more than $1 billion in vendor payments.

In addition to Senator Cardin, other participants in today’s Poultry Summit included:  U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE) Chris Coons (D-DE), and U.S. Congressman John Carney (D-DE) and  leaders from Maryland and Delaware’s poultry industry and state governments.

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