Last Friday, Senator Warner headed down to the Cargill poultry processing facility in Harrisonburg to discuss his efforts to strengthen Virginia’s poultry industry with members of the Virginia Poultry Federation. Senator Warner was joined by Hobey Bauhan, President of the VPF as well as other industry leaders.

Senator Warner thanked the Virginia poultry leaders for hosting the discussion, and led by talking about how important Virginia poultry is to the Commonwealth’s economy.

“Virginia’s poultry industry supports more than 28,000 jobs across the Commonwealth, and we need to continue to help Virginia poultry growers compete in growing international markets,” Senator Warner said.  

Both in the Senate and as Governor of Virginia, Senator Warner has advocated for opening foreign markets to Virginia’s poultry exports.

Senator Warner worked with the bipartisan Virginia congressional delegation to successfully end China’s seven year ban on Virginia poultry exports, which has cost millions of dollars in lost export opportunities annually.

Senator Warner also praised the Department of Agriculture’s recent rule on modernizing poultry inspections, which he supported in a bipartisan letter to the USDA. The Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection rule better protects consumers from foodborne illnesses, and is a more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

After the discussion, Senator Warner suited up to tour the poultry processing facility.