Attorney General's News Release

May 30, 2000

Cattle-grazing on land owned by Premium Standard Farms violates state corporate farming law, Nixon says

Jefferson City, Mo. — Corporate hog farm giant Premium Standard Farms is violating state law by allowing cattle to graze on property it owns in Mercer, Putnam and Sullivan counties, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today.

Nixon has filed a lawsuit in Sullivan County under Missouri's corporate farming law asking for an injunction from the court ordering PSF to stop the grazing. The lawsuit states that PSF has entered into grazing agreements and receives special benefits for allowing the cattle to graze on its agricultural land.

"Missouri's corporate farming law was enacted to help protect the state's small family farms," Nixon said. "The exception under that law that allows PSF to operate at all in these three counties only pertains to the production of 'swine or swine products.' PSF is using this land for cattle grazing in violation of the law, and we're asking the court to put a stop to it."

In addition to the injunction, Nixon is asking the court to order PSF to pay for the costs of investigating and prosecuting the case.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818