Senator Carper Oversees New Poultry Pact, Industry Signs Agreeement to Reduce Poultry Litter Pollution

DOVER, DE – Senator Thomas R. Carper celebrated the signing of a new "poultry pact" between state agencies and the region’s major poultry executives today. Negotiations for the pact began when Carper was Delaware’s Governor. "This is an important step in our journey to a cleaner environment and growing economy," Carper said. "As Governor I have, and as Senator I will, work to create partnerships between government and the private sector to strengthen our state’s health and prosperity. We still have much work to do, but I am glad we will be working together." The pact is a "memorandum of understanding" between the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Allen Family Foods, Inc., Mountaire of Delaware, Inc., Mountaire of Delmarva, Inc., and Tyson Foods, Inc. Under the agreement, poultry companies will educate growers about better plans for nutrient management; research environmentally friendly uses for poultry litter and manure; help growers locate options for safe and appropriate waste disposal; research strategies for nutrient reduction including new feed ingredients; and help growers meet certification requirements under the Delaware Nutrient Management Program. Representatives of the industry joined Senator Carper, Lt. Gov. John Carney, DNREC Secretary Nicholas A. DiPasquale, and Secretary of Agriculture Jack Tarburton at the signing ceremony.