Bill Satterfield, executive director of the Delmarva Poultry Industry, tried to paint with dollar signs a glowing picture of the benefits of big poultry for all Delawareans. (Cape Gazette May 18).
But his picture can't hide the blood, guts, filth, stench, cruelty, suffering, pollution and disease that infect the entire state. Who does he think he is fooling? Not low-paid workers whose miserable jobs are classified by the U.S. Department of Labor as "hazardous" and five times more dangerous than other jobs. Not consumers who, according to the CDC, risk infectious and chronic diseases every time they purchase and eat poultry products.
Not Millsboro homeowners whose private wells have been polluted with poultry waste disposal. Not communities throughout Delaware whose air and waterways are fouled by years of incompetent "nutrient management." And not the poultry themselves housed in crowded, filthy conditions and abused in unspeakable manner in processing facilities.
There is no way to paint a pretty picture of the Delmarva Poultry Industry. It is a foul business. There is blood on Satterfield's hands as well as on the hands of all who demand and profit from poultry products. It is one of our state's, our country's, yes, our world's, most pressing issues. How and what do we feed a hungry world without killing the goose that lays the golden egg?
Dorothy P. Greet
Lewes
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