Poultry summit should be open to public

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper plans to host a summit on the poultry industry, bringing together federal legislators from Maryland and Delaware, state environment and agriculture leaders and leaders of the poultry industry.

Its purpose is “to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the poultry industry, a vital part of the Delmarva Peninsula’s economy.”

Not invited to this summit are the public and the press.

Instead, the public is invited to a 15-minute public session.

In case our congressional delegation has forgotten, this is an election year.

As Congress reconvened this week, polls showed a record 84 percent of Americans disapprove of Congress, and 65 percent disapprove strongly,” stronger disapproval than at any time since the 1970s.

It’s unlikely public disapproval is directly related to the poultry industry, yet if there is one issue that unites Americans of all political parties, it’s the call for transparency and an end to closed-door bargaining.

Why should legislators base their actions on statements industry leaders make only if the public can’t hear them? What is it that industry leaders might say that legislators should know but the public should not?

The Cape Gazette recognizes the significance of Sussex farmers and their contributions to the economy and to our quality of life. Sussex County is the No. 1 producer in the broiler industry; its 800 farmers with 2,500 chicken houses produce 245 million broilers each year.

We also recognize this industry is hard hit by rising grain prices, energy costs and environmental concerns, among other issues in our global marketplace.

We stand behind the right of Delmarva farmers to appeal to their legislators for support and reasonable regulation.

Still, not through closed-door meetings but through building public understanding of the interests of farmers that our community can arrive at consensus on farm-related issues.

Excluding the public gives the appearance of backdoor political bargaining and does not promote good will. It’s through frank, open discussion of competing values and needs that our community can forge the consensus we need to move forward.