Late last year, Perdue contract chicken farmer Craig Watts
got wind of a promotional video in which Perdue claimed all of its
chickens were “humanely raised.
got wind of a promotional video in which Perdue claimed all of its
chickens were “humanely raised.
Recognizing that the birds were suffering, Watts contacted
Compassion in World Farming to document the abuse and neglect inflicted
on Perdue’s chickens at his North Carolina farm.
Compassion in World Farming to document the abuse and neglect inflicted
on Perdue’s chickens at his North Carolina farm.
The investigative video gives viewers an inside look into a
modern poultry farm, including the cramped, filthy conditions birds are forced
to endure, and the callous exploitation that farmers like Watts withstand.
modern poultry farm, including the cramped, filthy conditions birds are forced
to endure, and the callous exploitation that farmers like Watts withstand.
In an effort to maximize profits, Perdue has not only
neglected the health of the birds in its care, but also of the farmers who
painstakingly work to raise them, and incur serious financial hardship in the
process.
neglected the health of the birds in its care, but also of the farmers who
painstakingly work to raise them, and incur serious financial hardship in the
process.
Now, just a few months later, Watts has teamed
up with Fusion to
document his story. “We followed Craig as he wrestled with becoming a
whistleblower, showed us the conditions on farms, got nationwide attention for
stepping forward—and then saw how the chicken industry reacted.
up with Fusion to
document his story. “We followed Craig as he wrestled with becoming a
whistleblower, showed us the conditions on farms, got nationwide attention for
stepping forward—and then saw how the chicken industry reacted.
You can see the full
story, including the eight-part video series, here.
story, including the eight-part video series, here.
What’s more, since Watts came forward, he claims to have
suffered retaliation from Perdue, and has filed a complaint with the U.S.
Department of Labor.
suffered retaliation from Perdue, and has filed a complaint with the U.S.
Department of Labor.
This incredibly powerful story reminds us that the best thing
we can do to protect animals and farmers is to withdraw our support of a system
that works to maximize profits at any cost.
we can do to protect animals and farmers is to withdraw our support of a system
that works to maximize profits at any cost.
