September 21, 2006

Perdue to launch environmental programme for its poultry farms

Salisbury, Md.-based poultry processor Perdue Farms and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have signed an agreement Wednesday (Sep 20) to set up a programme to minimise the impact the company's poultry farms have on the environment.

Under the Clean Bays agreement, beginning in 2007, supervisors from Perdue would visit larger poultry farms throughout the Delmarva Peninsula to assess runoff control and litter disposal. The Delmarva Peninsula is located on the eastern coast of the US and is located at the confluence of three states--Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

The information gathered would be used to launch a company-wide environmental management programme in 2008 for all its contract poultry farms nationwide.

The programme would involve Perdue, EPA and other partners helping poultry farmers comply with guidelines on controlling runoff and managing litter disposal.

It would also award poultry farms that achieved compliance excellence in protecting and restoring waters around the Delmarva Peninsula.