Amidst the convoluted legal battles ensnaring Oklahoma's poultry industry, Governor Kevin Stitt has made an emphatic call to Attorney General Gentner Drummond, imploring him to request a stay on a recent court judgment against major poultry companies—including Tyson Foods, Inc.—as reported by the Oklahoma Governor's official site. In this ruling, the corporations, along with the local farmers contracted to raise chickens, face stringent new guidelines on poultry waste management and are compelled to finance the cleaning efforts for years to come.
Contesting the court's decision, Stitt emphasized, "These family farmers did everything the right way, they got the permit, followed the rules, and they’re still getting sued," suggesting a legal expectation that has been both paradoxical and punishing. The Governor, lamenting the undue burden placed on the farmers, has been steadfast in his defense of the local agricultural community, stating, "Laws should be made in the open, not forced on families through lawsuits," as per the Oklahoma Governor's official statement.
Stitt's dissatisfaction is not only with the overall judgment but also with Attorney General Drummond's role in its crafting. "This judgment reflects Attorney General Drummond’s own design," Stitt expressed, voicing concern over the establishment of a Special Master, which could drastically overhaul poultry litter practices in the state, potentially disrupting traditional income sources for farmers, a sreported by the Oklahoma Governor's official press release.
In an intimate gathering with over 300 local stakeholders in Adair County, Governor Stitt heard firsthand stories illuminating the distress within the poultry community. One such testimony came from Megan Langley, a poultry farmer who relayed, "When these companies get tired of fighting with the State of Oklahoma and decide it’s not worth it anymore, you’re not destroying a large corporation – you’re destroying a family like mine," a sentiment echoed in the Oklahoma Governor's communication.
The sitting Governor contends that the fallout might ripple far beyond the poultry sector, putting other farming industries at risk; "This judgment doesn’t just hit poultry producers," says Stitt, anticipating dire repercussions for cattle ranchers, grain farmers, and the greater agricultural economy that sustains Oklahoma and beyond, as per the Oklahoma Governor.
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