Calling it a major victory for agriculture, Perdue Farms lauded a ruling by a Maryland administrative law judge rejecting the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) attempt to “co-permit” poultry companies and the independent farm families who raise their chickens.

More than 1,500 farmers attended public hearings last year to voice their opposition to co-permitting. Despite the outcry from the agricultural community, the MDE moved ahead with its plan, forcing poultry companies and farmers to challenge the legality of the MDE’s actions.

“Everyone who joined together to oppose co-permitting should feel vindicated by the ruling, which clearly states that the Governor and MDE overstepped MDE’s legal authority,” said Perdue Farms Chairman Jim Perdue.

Co-permitting would have made poultry companies responsible for the on-farm practices of independent producers by tying wastewater treatment permits for processing plants to the farmers’ use of litter.

Co-permitting threatened independence of farm families
“This would have threatened the independence and livelihood of hundreds of Maryland farm families and the economic viability of the co-permitted poultry plants,” said Mr. Perdue. “Moreover, for all the hardship co-permitting would have created, it contained no provisions to improve water quality.”

Perdue Farms committed to environmental stewardship
At the same time, Mr. Perdue reiterated the company’s commitment to being the industry leader in environmental stewardship while calling for a spirit of cooperation to address the environmental challenges associated with animal agriculture.

“Poultry companies, producers, environmental organizations and government can work together to ensure a safe, abundant and affordable food supply while protecting our natural resources,” said Mr. Perdue. “I hope this ruling will lay the groundwork in Maryland for the same spirit of partnership we’ve seen in other states.”

The decision by administrative law judge Neile S. Friedman with the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings stated Maryland’s proposed program “has no precedent whatsoever in either federal or state wastewater discharge programs anywhere.” Her ruling also sets a precedent, making this victory important for farmers outside of Maryland.

Learn more about Perdue’s environmental stewardship

For more information, contact Tita Cherrier, Director of Public Relations, 410-840-4407

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