Attorney General Genter Drummond announced Thursday that a major breakthrough in Oklahoma’s 20year poultry litter pollution litigation, securing settlements totaling more than $25 million from Tyson Foods and Cargill.
The settlements mark a turning point in one of the state’s most significant environmental cases.
“For over two decades, Oklahoma has fought to protect the Illinois River Watershed and the natural resources that sustain our communities,” Drummond said.
“The decision to settle by Tyson and Cargill makes one thing unmistakably clear: corporate accountability is not optional, and protecting Oklahoma’s water can, and must, go hand in hand with a strong poultry and agricultural industry. These settlements provide a path to move forward together, giving certainty for growers, protecting jobs and safeguarding Oklahoma’s waters for future generations.”
Under the consent judgments filed, Tyson will pay $19 million for reme- diation and conservation of the Illinois River Watershed. Cargill, Inc. and Cargill Turkey Production will pay $6.5 million.
Under the settlements, both companies will:
• Progressively increase the amount of poultry litter removed from the Illinois River Watershed;
• Pay into a fund for a Special Master to monitor compliance and bear all costs associated with litter removal;
• Pay into a fund for remediation of the Illinois River Watershed; and
• Voluntarily dismiss their respective appeals of the Dec. 19 judgment.
In exchange, the State releases all claims against both companies.
Nathan McKay, President of Poultry for Tyson, said the settlement brings resolution to the dispute, and it allows the company to focus on its growers and communities moving forward.
“Tyson Foods has reached a settlement with the State of Oklahoma to resolve the long-running Illinois River Watershed dispute. We believe this resolution is in the best interest of our growers and their communities in Northeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas,” McKay said.
“Tyson Foods is fortunate to have been a part of the agricultural community in the region for our entire 90-year history, and we are deeply grateful for the support we have received from our growers, our neighbors, and elected leaders in both states to achieve this resolution.
“We are pleased to move forward with our growers in Oklahoma and Arkansas to focus together on our mission of feeding the world like family.”
“Cargill appreciates the engagement of the Oklahoma Attorney General, the State of Oklahoma and local stakeholders in bringing this matter to a fair and reasonable resolution. We look forward to continuing to work and invest in Oklahoma,” said a Cargill spokesperson.
Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., originally filed in 2005, seeks to hold major poultry companies accountable for polluting the Illinois River Watershed with phosphorus from poultry waste.
In December, a federal court issued a judgment holding the poultry companies jointly responsible and requiring cleanup and waste application restrictions.
“These agreements allow us to move beyond years of litigation and focus on real, measurable improvements in water quality,” Drummond said. “My goal is to work toward comprehensive resolutions with the remaining defendants that protect the Illinois River Watershed while ensuring Oklahoma’s poultry industry remains strong and sustainable.”
George’s, Inc., reached a settlement with the State last month.
The settlements with Cargill, George’s and Tyson do not affect ongoing proceedings involving the other defendants: Cal-Maine, Peterson Farms and Simmons.
