Black community leader the Rev. Al Sharpton has urged African Americans to boycott Kentucky Fried Chicken.

His appeal came in a new TV and radio campaign in the US.

According to the website kentuckyfriedcruelty.com, he wants the boycott to remain until KFC made basic improvements in animal welfare.

"KFC is not black owned, but it sure knows to market heavily to African Americans? obviously hoping we won't care about what they do the underdog, or in this case, the underchicken," Rev. Sharpton said on the web-site.

"So, if KFC wants to take our money and use it to pay for sloppy practices that hurt animals ? say we send them a message that this is not going to happen.

"I'm calling on people to boycott KFC until they adopt animal welfare systems recommended by PETA and until they stop the worst abuses of the birds they raise for their restaurants".

PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are seeking improvements to KFC's practices, in particular the "defeathering" and "debeaking" of chickens.

They also want a halt to the use of growth-promoting drugs.

Last June, PETA recorded footage of alleged mistreatment of birds at a KFC supplier in West Virginia, Michigan Independent News Media said.

Rev. Sharpton visited Bermuda last Labour Day, in September 2004, when he spoke at Bernard's Park and at the Bermuda Industrial Union's annual banquet.