Industry Testifies Before Congress In Food Vs. Fuel Debate

Testifying before the livestock, dairy and poultry subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee Thursday, members of the poultry and livestock industries warned that consumer food prices will rise if the burden of expensive corn is not alleviated.

J. Patrick Boyle, president and CEO of the American Meat Institute, said that Congress should take practical actions to moderate the impact that the nation’s renewable energy policy is having on animal feed costs and, by extension, the cost of food sold to consumers.


Matthew Herman, complex manager for Tyson Foods, who spoke on behalf of the National Chicken Council, told the subcommittee that the United States could see a corn shortage as ethanol demand outstrips supply.

Both groups offered Congress suggestions as to how to alleviate price pressure on producers. Among the recommendations:

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