Benton County committee backs referral of resolution supporting poultry producers amid Illinois River litigation

Benton County justices voted to forward a resolution of support for poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed to the Quorum Court after a lengthy discussion on Dec. 16 focused on litigation, science and local economic impacts.

Judge Morin introduced the resolution and said it was drafted with input from the Farm Bureau; he said the dispute centers on water-quality litigation across the state line and that many local producers view the outcome as potentially devastating. "Tyson has indicated that if this doesn't go the right way, they're gonna start pulling some contracts from some of our poultry farmers on the West Side," the presenter told the committee.

Several justices and participants urged more information about nutrient management plans, buffer areas and what farmers already do to comply with waste-management rules. One committee member with experience as a nutrient-management planner noted the 2000s-era two‑state agreement created standards both states had accepted and said the current lawsuit asks for a higher standard than that agreement provides.

Speakers described economic stakes: one participant cited a multi‑million-dollar annual impact to Benton and Washington counties if contracts are not renewed over a five‑year period. Committee members discussed possible local steps to support growers and asked extension and agricultural contacts to brief the court on current nutrient-management and mitigation practices.

The committee moved and seconded the resolution and voted to send it to the Quorum Court for consideration; the meeting transcript records the motion as forwarded for court review. The committee also asked staff and agricultural partners to consider educational briefings to show what producers already do to manage litter and phosphorus.