
“Save the Chicks,” Sign Held by Virginia Vitzthcdi, at the 8/22/20 Protest About the Slowdown at the USPS in Which Chicks Have Not Survived.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) today joined by 23 House colleagues wrote to US Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to demand an investigation into the recent deaths of thousands of mail-order chicks and to urge immediate action to rectify this issue. The members noted the importance of USPS to rural communities and sought answers on how the Trump Administration changes to the USPS could be contributing to these chick deaths, which have taken an emotional and economic toll on America’s small farmers and hatcheries, according to a press release issued from her office today.
“We have heard alarming reports that recent shipments of live chicks via USPS have been severely delayed or mishandled, resulting in significant mortality losses. For example, one hatchery recently reported that a shipment of 4,800 chicks arrived in New England with 100% mortality losses,” the member wrote. “We are deeply concerned that the recent issues with live chick deliveries may have been significantly exacerbated by recent changes to USPS service that have led to mail delay and staffing challenges.”
The letter to Postmaster General DeJoy and Secretary Perdue asked five questions of them, including:
What guidance, if any, has USDA provided to USPS on proper handling of shipments other containing chicks or other live animals?, and what training, if any,does USPS provide to is workforce including contractors on proper handling of shipments containing chicks or other live animals?
“We ure USPS and USDA to thoroughly investigate this issue and promptly rectify any policy that is contributing to this problem. Rural Americans, including agricultural producers, disproportionately rely on USPS for their livelihoods and it is essential that they receive reliable service. thank you for your attention to this matter. and we look forward to your prompt response,” the letter concluded.