House adopts resolution urging return to talks for poultry producers in Illinois River watershed

Representative Moore presented House Resolution 1034 to "express support for Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River Watershed and to urge a return to good faith negotiations." Moore said agriculture contributes about $25 billion annually to Arkansas’ economy and that poultry production accounts for roughly $7 billion of that total. He told colleagues that poultry integrators have spent about $750 million on improvements and that the dispute with Oklahoma has moved to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit after recent appeals were rejected.

The resolution, Moore said, expresses the House’s backing for producers in Washington and Benton counties and urges both sides to return to negotiations. "Overall, this is an unfair and unfounded lawsuit based on political gain," Representative Moore said in explaining the resolution. He warned that if the case is not settled, "hundreds of poultry producers in the Illinois River Watershed will not receive renewals of their contracts, forcing personal bankruptcies, loss of revenue for the state of Arkansas, and overall loss of food supply."

The clerk read the resolution by title only; with Representative Moore closed for debate the House proceeded to vote. The resolution was adopted by voice/record as announced on the floor: 97 yay, 0 nay, 0 present.

The resolution does not itself change law or appropriations; it registers the chamber’s position and urges renewed negotiations between stakeholders, including state officials and the parties involved in ongoing litigation. Representative Moore said he and colleagues had discussed the matter with Governor Sanders, Attorney General Griffin, and other Oklahoma and Arkansas officials prior to bringing the resolution.

The House moved on to other calendar business after adoption.