Public outcry against feeding chicken with chicken
HOWEVER, MARK Haskins, chief executive officer of the Caribbean Broilers Group, was very careful in explaining, during the recent launch, that the animal feed byproduct derived from poultry blood, feathers and guts, at its state-of-the-art processing plant to be constructed at Hill Run, Catherine, would be exported to other companies for use in highend energy pet foods.
This is even though the group produces a very successful line of animal feeds.
He made no reference to it, but it was clear that this clarification was deemed necessary to prevent any semblance of the public outcry when the plan was first mooted some six years ago.
Plans were well on track for the use of the rich-in-protein ingredients to be incorporated in its manufacture of poultry feed until a number of pronouncements on the issue by Christopher Levy, chief executive officer of rival poultry company, Jamaica Broilers, effectively derailed this investment.
“We do not feed chicken to chicken,” Levy said, declaring this was consistent with the company’s high phytosanitary standards.
The potential risk of salmonella poisoning, public perception about safety of the further processed material being integrated into the poultry industry chicken and a claim that the export market would not be amenable to such products were the primary reasons cited by Levy.
PLANS SHELVED
Following public outcry, Caribbean Broilers shelved plans for its rendering plant, and even when it served notice about plans to engage in this cost-saving and measure, it was careful to announce the byproducts would be destined only for the export market.
However, for Lucas Cypriano, whose company was among the many organisations showcasing their globally competitive goods and services at the 2017 Poultry and Pork Show, rendering is a critical component of a successful business.
“The challenge in our chain is that when you look for growth, if you waste your waste, you are not committed to sustainability. Avoiding wasting means you are committed to sustainability,” he told The Gleaner.