The federal judge’s recent ruling which ordered poultry operations to pay millions of dollars in pollution cleanup of the Illinois River prompted Gov. Kevin Stitt to defend the poultry operations attacked by Attorney General Genter Drummond.
After the Friday decision, the governor commented on Monday.
“These family farmers did everything the right way. They got the permit, followed the rules, and they’re still getting sued,” Governor Kevin Stitt said. “If you can do exactly what the state requires and still end up in court, what are you supposed to do? This isn’t about chicken litter or clean water anymore — that’s what the Legislature is for. Laws should be made in the open, not forced on families through lawsuits.”
He also urged Drummond to ask for a stay in the judge’s order, indicating the implementation of the order will have severe consequences for family farms.
“This judgment reflects Attorney General Drummond’s own design. The court adopted his proposal for a Special Master – an unaccountable, court-run shadow regulatory agency – and embraced a unworkable plan that effectively bans its use for generations to come,” said Governor Stitt. “Attorney General Drummond had three years to show up, engage, and negotiate a responsible settlement. Instead, this judgment delivers a direct punishment to producers by stripping them of ownership of their litter as a lawful source of revenue.
“I will not stop fighting for Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers. A reasonable settlement was possible, one that protected our natural resources while preserving our domestic and regional food supply. This judgment is not that solution. If Attorney General Drummond is truly interested in a settlement, he should immediately request that Judge Gregory Frizzell issue a stay and bring the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy and Environment to the table for meaningful negotiations.”
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