Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Stacy Simunek released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma rejected the state of Oklahoma’s negotiated settlement with four poultry companies that would have settled charges against the companies in the decades-old State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., lawsuit regarding the application of chicken litter in the Illinois River Watershed.
“Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are greatly disappointed by the U.S. District Court’s rejection of the negotiated settlement between four poultry companies and the state of Oklahoma in the decades-old poultry lawsuit.
“The settlements that were negotiated in good faith and then rejected by the court would have provided a workable path forward to ensure clean water in the watershed for all Oklahomans while providing a way for our contract poultry farmers to continue their critical job of raising food.
Senator Tom Woods, R-Westville, issued the following statement after a federal judge declined to approve proposed settlement agreements between the State of Oklahoma and poultry companies following two decades of litigation in Oklahoma v. Tyson.
“This decision is incredibly disheartening as it puts the future of Oklahoma’s poultry industry, and the livelihoods of many Northeast Oklahoma families, once again at risk.
“I have heard directly from poultry producers across our region about the challenges, stress, financial strain, and uncertainty they have faced while navigating this prolonged lawsuit. The proposed settlements would have offered security and stability to these farmers after more than 20 years.
“Without resolution, many poultry growers will again be forced to make difficult decisions about the future of their farms, which will ultimately result in ceased operations in the state and detriment to our local economies.
“I will continue to stand with our farmers in this fight and remain committed to defending the livelihoods of our poultry producers and the interests of rural economies. Our communities need a clear and decisive resolution, and I am calling for this matter to be put to bed once and for all, providing the certainty and fairness Oklahoma producers deserve.”
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt: “My heart goes out to the poultry growers in Eastern Oklahoma. The uncertainty they face is unimaginable, and it was preventable if Attorney General Drummond had simply withdrawn from this 20-year-old Democrat lawsuit.”
