LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — A state senator
in Arkansas recently wrote a letter to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders asking
her to declare a state of emergency following the closure of Cook
Venture in late November.
Senator Bryan King, R-Green Forest,
detailed the need to help the Arkansas poultry industry.
“I am writing to express my utmost
concern regarding the closing of Cooks Venture and the resulting possible
euthanization of more than 1 million chickens,” King wrote on Dec. 8. “This
matter significantly affects poultry growers, involves serious animal welfare
and disease concerns and creates environmental issues. The impact of the volume
of decaying birds to be disposed of is an economic nightmare and it should not
be the burden of the growers.”
King added that the state of
Arkansas should provide full compensation to the growers, feed suppliers, and
any entity related to helping this situation.
“The company is under financial
duress, and at this time, the state needs to assume responsibility,” King
stated. “It is my hope the state can recoup the cost at a later date.”
Along with serving in the state
legislature, King owns Triple K Farms in Green Forest.
Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes
Ward responded to King’s request for state assistance
explaining why the state would not step in.
“Because the proper role of
government does not include state assumption of private debts, your request has
been respectfully declined,” Ward said in his letter. “Poultry farmers and poultry production are
integral to our state’s success. Northern Arkansas chicken growers have long
provided an affordable source of nutrition not only to their fellow Arkansans but also to the nation and the world. This is precisely why staff from the
Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and I proactively worked over Thanksgiving
to provide necessary assistance. However, your request that the government
‘provide full compensation’ to ‘any entity related [to the closing of Cooks
Venture Inc.]’ goes beyond the scope of appropriate state action.”
https://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/29470-arkansas-lawmaker