NCC Applauds Trump Administration’s Delay of Biden-Era Poultry Payment Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2026) - "We applaud Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration for their thoughtful review of this Biden-era regulation and for listening to chicken farmers across the country who oppose it," said National Chicken Council (NCC) President Harrison Kircher. "NCC strongly supports the administration's commitment to cutting regulatory red tape and returning decision-making to farmers and the businesses that sustain rural America.

"The Biden administration finalized a regulation six days before President Trump took office that threatened to dismantle an efficient and successful industry model that has worked well for decades and helps keep chicken affordable.

"The Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems rule would effectively ban bonuses for the best chicken farmers. Eliminating this performance-based compensation system would pay all farmers the same, regardless of hard work, investments, housing conditions, or bird welfare practices. It would drive experienced farmers out of the industry and reduce efficiency and competition in rural markets.

"Simply put, the rule is un-American."

As AMS notes in today's announcement, this rule could cause farmers to produce broilers less efficiently and increase production costs as a result. 'Even a very small change in efficiency could result in relatively large increases in the cost of producing broilers,' the agency said, which in turn could drive up consumer costs.

"We applaud the administration's decision to revisit this burdensome regulation, strongly encourage its delay, and urge its full recission," Kircher concluded.