January 7, 2009, Atlanta, Ga. – The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and Perdue Farms recently announced an agreement to provide
training, assessments and other assistance to Perdue poultry producers.
January 7, 2009, Atlanta, Ga. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Perdue Farms recently announced an agreement to provide training, assessments and other assistance to Perdue poultry producers.
Under the announced agreement, called the Clean Waters Environmental Initiative, Perdue will launch a four-year, company-wide environmental management program for all contract poultry farms growing for Perdue. This program will extend to all Perdue producers in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.
Under the program, Perdue, EPA and other partners will provide training and assistance to poultry farmers so that they can learn how to achieve or exceed compliance with guidelines on controlling runoff and managing litter disposal. The initiative will also include an awards program to recognize poultry farms that demonstrate environmental and compliance excellence in protecting and restoring waterways.
Also as part of the initiative, Perdue poultry processing facilities will each implement an Environmental Management System, a set of processes and practices designed to reduce environmental impacts and increase operating efficiency.
The agreement grew out of a pilot program initiated by the EPA and Perdue on the Delmarva Peninsula in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Beginning in 2007, EPA and Perdue provided training and assistance to the largest independent contract poultry farms growing for Perdue throughout the peninsula. Trained flock supervisors visited each farm and used a checklist to examine how well the farmers complied with nutrient management regulations and best management practices in their poultry production areas and noted any improvements needed.
“Perdue Farms is committed to environmental stewardship and shares that commitment with the independent farm families who raise our birds,” said Perdue chairman Jim Perdue. “We are pleased to work cooperatively with (the EPA ) to enhance the implementation of environmental best management practices on poultry farms, and feel that working together and providing producers with knowledge and resources to enable them to be good environmental stewards is the most productive route to our shared goals of protecting our natural resources and preserving the family farm.”
