Yesterday, Oklahoma Attorney Drew Edmondson laid out his case against the area Poultry Industry, (See Case No. 05-CV-329-GKF/SAJ)specifically: Tyson Foods Inc., Tyson Poultry Inc., Tyson Chicken Inc., Cobb-Vantress Inc., Aviagen Inc., Cal-Maine Foods Inc., Cargill Inc., Cargill Turkey Production L.L.C., George's Inc., George's Farms Inc., Peterson Farms Inc., Simmons Foods Inc., Cal-Maine Farms Inc. and Willow Brook Foods Inc. saying, according the A.P., that:

Unless the court grants the request by the spring, the fecal bacteria found in the waste could pose a health threat to hundreds of people who visit the river valley each year...Our evidence will show that these persistent and pervasive violations of state and federal law have infested the rivers and springs and wells of the Illinois River Watershed with biological pathogens that have created an imminent and substantial threat to human health

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According to the same A.P. report, "He also said the amount of phosphorous dumped on the ground in the watershed each year is equivalent to the waste of 10.7 million people."

Tyson Foods' attorney Patrick Ryan responded by saying the injunction seeks to disrupt an industry that has operated successfully in the watershed for decades. He also accused the state of creating the science to suit its case:

There is nothing more going on in this watershed than the rest of the state.

Attorneys for the state admitted they had not taken action against the Oklahoma cattle industry, even though the primary source of fecal contamination in the rest of the state is cattle.

Ryan also saidalso said:

The state has not been able to identify a single person who has become ill because of contact with water in the watershed.

NewsOK.com reports Edmondson will be calling witnesses over the next three days, then the court will hear from the poultry industry.

Labels: Drew Edmondson, Poultry Lawsuit

Posted at 2/20/2008 09:39:00 AM