The National Poultry Justice Alliance (NPJA) is a multi-cultural coalition representing a wide range of affiliate organizations that have united to organize around and increase public awareness of the social, economic, human, and environmental health issues associated with the production of poultry. These groups include poultry growers, workers, and environmental, public health, religious, and social justice organizations.

The U.S. poultry industry is controlled by a few corporations with intensive, vertically-integrated operations. This system of production is becoming the model for overseas poultry operations, as well as livestock production and other agri-food operations in the U.S. While poultry companies have realized enormous profits, the people who work within the industry have not shared in the prosperity. Farmers, workers and neighbors are afraid to organize or speak for themselves in fear of retaliation. Consumers are uneducated about the health, safety, economic, and environmental justice issues associated with poultry production.

Alliance Mission & Major Activities

Affiliate organizations of the NPJA have agreed to educate the public and one another about the importance of:

• A living wage and benefits, safe and healthy working conditions, a sustainable living for poultry farmers, and dignity and respect for all of the people who labor for the poultry industry.
• The rights of workers, growers, and communities to organize and/or engage in collective bargaining without intimidation or retaliation from the poultry companies.
• Humane animal husbandry practices in poultry production, including catching and transport to processing facilities.
• Policies for cleaner, safer, and sustainable environmental and public health conditions and protection of quality of life for families living near industry facilities.
• Accountability within the poultry industry to existing laws and regulations.
• Efforts toward developing improved remedies such as health and safety, labor, contract, and environmental laws and policies that benefit farmers, workers, the environment, and our communities.

Who is eligible for Alliance affiliation?

Our flexible structure provides a civil society forum to share ideas, advocacy strategy and information on the poultry industry. Affiliation is open to non-profit and public interest organizations active on poultry industry issues, from production to food safety. Organizations and individuals representing business and/or government are not eligible for affiliation. Affiliates of NPJA are expected to abide by the Guidelines for Conduct.

How can an organization apply for affiliation?

Organizations wishing to apply for NPJA affiliation should sign the letter stating their endorsement of the mission statement, their activities on poultry justice and their intent to abide by the Guidelines for Conduct and return it to the NPJA Coordinator. A copy of the organizational mission statement should be attached. The Board of Directors will consider and make decisions on Alliance affiliation.

Guidelines for Conduct of NPJA Affiliates

Affiliates agree to educate their organization and the public about the NPJA mission and activities and foster trust and education among affiliate organizations and between all the different interest groups working to improve the poultry industry. Affiliates will actively work to create an open forum for sharing information, concerns, and actions that affect the constituencies represented by each affiliate organization.

Only recognized affiliates are allowed to use the NPJA name on specific campaigns, and they must secure prior approval from the NPJA Board of Directors, which meets monthly. In special circumstances, the Executive Committee may also grant permission for the NPJA name to be used on a campaign when a decision is needed prior to the next full Board meeting. More details on this process will be provided with affiliation materials.

It is also expected that NPJA affiliates will actively participate in meetings of the Alliance and its various committees and working groups, as appropriate, and will support efforts to raise funds from foundations and other sources for Alliance activities. All affiliate organizations commit to designating at least one member to serve on a NPJA working committee or the Board of Directors. It is also strongly recommended, though not required, that each affiliate organization make a contribution to funding NPJA.

Affiliation Application