Over the last 40 years, poultry-meat production has undergone considerable expansion in much of the developed world. The industry has changed from an essentially farm-based operation to one where economies of scale in rearing and processing have led to a high degree of operational efficiency. As a sequel to these changes, however, there is now greater emphasis on product quality, rather than mere 'production at least cost'. Also, the more recent growth in further- processed and 'value-added' convenience items has helped to maintain a buoyant market for poultry, and has shown that the industry...