Perdue Closing 392-Employee Chicken Plant in Panhandle

[rodbarnett]

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) - This Florida Panhandle city will lose its largest private employer with the announcement Friday that Perdue Farms Inc. will close a 392-employee chicken processing plant.

The closure, effective April 21, also will end contractual agreements with 48 poultry producers in Florida and southern Alabama, company officials said.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA636KPWQD.html

[lazarus]

1. That's huge

Folks, this is not only the biggest employer in the area (I'm from that area, originally), but this sort of employment is also considered a good job in that area. It carries benefits, and pays well for the area. And that's 48 family farms out of business, unless they can manage to get contracts with other plants nearby. And there aren't many.

This is a huge economic hit to a major Bush supporting area.

[saigon68]

3. No they will make it cheaper in Bagladesh

Oh sorry that shirts sewn by children </sarcasm>

[mac2]

2. Rumors are that chicken may also have Mad Cow like Disease..

Could this be the reason for closing? They can avoid law suits, etc.

[mobuto]

4. rumors?

wth?

[pfitz59]

5. Bird flu......

Can spread to humans. American agri-business sucks anyway. People should grow their own.

[jamesinca]

6. BSE can spread to other species

They found that out in the London Zoo during the British mad cow outbreak. I am also getting professional journals that are saying that Alzheimer's disease may be mis diagnosed. They are now thinking that there may be a higher incidence of CJD then previously thought. It is a good decade to be a vegan.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

8. I heard about the Alzheimer's/Mad Cow connection

on the BBC. Very frightening...

[yankeedem]

7. Great news this is!

Now the workers are able to become self-employed!!!(/sarcasm)

[GRClarkesq]

9. Article says production moving to Perry, FLA

are the workers moving also?

Sounds like no since Perry plant was recent acquisition.