sportjunkie07 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The United States is stepping in to help bail out another American industry -- chicken farmers and meat processors.The nation's chicken industry is having a difficult year. Chicken producers are struggling with higher costs of running their business at the same time that consumers are buying less meat. This has created a glut of chicken products in the market. Total chicken production in the first half of 2011 rose 4% compared to the same period a year ago, while demand for chicken has cooled, according to the National Chicken Council. Consequently, retail prices for chicken product have dipped. The Department of Agriculture, keenly aware of these issues, announced Monday that it will make a special purchase of up to $40 million of chicken products, which the government will then donate to federal food assistance programs such as soup kitchens and its national Feeding America programs. http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/16/news/economy/chicken_prices/index.htm#disqus_thread 1. Would chicken prices be lower, if this was not being done? 2. Is this just another "bailout", or is this standard procedure for the agricultural industry? Is it necessary, or should we allow the free market to sort it out. 3. This seems to me, at first look, to be the definition of socialism. Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shuler74 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 This is very bad especially after watching food inc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10fttall Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Seems like one more thing they just can't keep their fingers out of. I know there is some justification for agricultural subsidies to ensure the fields, farmers, and heavy equipment to farm food, remain in existence in the US. But I don't think chickens would be that hard to roll back out the capacity for production should the need arise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Seems like one more thing they just can't keep their fingers out of. Is it any wonder ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterMP Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 On the surface, this doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I'd rather see the money invested in helping move people out of the chicken industry and/or helping them be more effecient in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 On the surface, this doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I'd rather see the money invested in helping move people out of the chicken industry and/or helping them be more effecient in it. Why do you hate the poor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbs Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 This seems like an excellent idea. If there's one thing that millions of unemployed Americans want to see, it's higher food prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herrmag Posted August 17, 2011 Share Posted August 17, 2011 Just curious if free-range chicken has something to do with it. Hear me out. It costs a hell of a lot more to have chickens running around an open area than it does to keep them penned up and readily accessible. I know it sounds stupid, but collecting eggs and/or grabbing a chicken out of a pen is far easier and far more time consuming than the hundreds of chickens in 2x2 wire pens dropping their eggs and/or being grabbed for death. That being said, I don't know where I stand on this if it is the affecting factor. I'm probably way off base though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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