Industry News - PM

Pilgrim’s Pride sued by environmentalists in Florida


By Tom Johnston on 3/9/2017

An environmental advocacy group in Florida filed a lawsuit in federal court today alleging that a Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. chicken processing plant is polluting the Suwannee River.

Environment Florida claims in its complaint that the facility in Live Oak, Fla., has been violating its wastewater permits for 5 years, discharging wastewater that exceeds pollution standards by as much as triple the legal limits, the group said in a news release. 

The plaintiffs contend specifically that Pilgrim Pride’s pollution contributes to low dissolved oxygen levels and toxic algal blooms that affects aquatic life in the river. 

In a statement, Pilgrim's spokesman Cameron Bruett said, "Pilgrim’s has not had an opportunity to review the complaint filed by Environment America, but takes this allegation seriously. In January 2017, we received a letter from Environment America announcing its intent to sue Pilgrim’s for alleged violation of permit conditions at the Pilgrim’s Live Oak, FL facility. We provided a detailed response which clarified that the alleged violations were in fact self-discovered by Pilgrim’s during routine sampling, duly reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and corrective measures were identified and implemented to address concerns. We are unaware of any current conditions that would merit this legal action, however we will review the complaint and respond appropriately.”

Sierra Club also said it will join Environment Florida in the lawsuit as a co-plaintiff against Pilgrim’s Pride after a 60-day waiting period mandated by the Clean Water Act.

Environment Florida’s complaint seeks a federal court order requiring the Live Oak facility to comply with its Clean Water Act permit and civil penalties against Pilgrim’s Pride to punish it for past violations and to deter future violations.


 
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