TULSA (AP) - A federal judge has denied a request by the several groups to file friend-of-the-court briefs in state Attorney General Drew Edmondson's poultry litter pollution lawsuit.
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U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell on Monday denied requests by the National Chicken Council, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and the National Turkey Federation to file papers supporting the poultry industry.
In his ruling, Frizzell indicated that the poultry integrators are represented "competently by lawyers who have thoroughly and extensively briefed the relevant issues."
Frizzell also on Monday denied similar requests by the Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Pork Producers Association, Texas Association of Dairymen and George R. Stubblefield, Adair County representative for the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission.
Edmondson is asking the judge for a preliminary injunction to stop 13 Arkansas poultry companies from spreading bird waste in the Illinois River watershed.
He claims that bacteria from the waste of more than 140 million chickens raised each year there has poisoned the land and posed a serious health threat to thousands of people who recreate there.
The preliminary injunction hearing is part of Oklahoma's 2005 lawsuit against the region's $2 billion poultry operation.
Closing arguments in the injunction matter ended March 12.
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Aaron, I'd rather pay a little more for my chicken than have an entire watershed contaminated. Sometimes the cheapest means of production isn't always the best means.
KUDOS to Edmonson who actually advocates for the People of Oklahoma , not just the next new dollar like the OKC and OK politicians. Drew gets the Man of the Week Award from me.
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.