McCartney grills KFC over 'factory farms'

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has enlisted the help of Paul McCartney in its campaign against Kentucky Fried Chicken.

An open letter from McCartney to David Novak, chairman and chief executive officer of KFC's Louisville, Ky.-based parent company, Yum! Brands Inc., appeared in a full-page advertisement in Thursday's editions of The Courier-Journal.

The 61-year-old McCartney, who's a vegetarian for ethical reasons, insists in the ad that Novak should improve the treatment of 750 million chickens raised annually in "factory farms" and killed in "frightening ways" for KFC restaurants, according to PETA.

Jonathan Blum, senior vice president for public affairs for Yum! Brands, said in response: 'Paul McCartney is a music legend and he's entitled to his opinion, but we think he's misinformed. KFC is committed to the well-being and humane treatment of chickens. While PETA would prefer a world of vegetarians, most people disagree, so we think PETA should follow one of Sir Paul's songs and just 'Let it Be.' "

The ad is the latest action in a string of efforts by PETA to force KFC to implement new standards for the treatment of its chickens. PETA filed a lawsuit July 7 against KFC Corp. in Los Angeles County Superior Court for misleading the public by denying it mistreats chickens headed for its restaurants.