Attorney General's News Release

September 25, 2002

Cargill to pay $286,778 for July 2000 hog waste spill in Audrain County, under court order obtained by Nixon

Jefferson City, Mo. — Cargill Inc. will pay $286,778 to the state of Missouri for illegally discharging hog waste into the Loutre River in Audrain County in July 2000, under a court order obtained today by Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The order from the Audrain County Circuit Court resolves allegations that Cargill violated the Missouri Clean Water Law at the McCaw Farm it manages.

From July 27, 2000, through July 31, 2000, Cargill illegally disposed of hog waste into the river by negligently discharging it from a storage facility. The discharge killed thousands of fish in the Loutre River.

In the consent judgment signed today by Circuit Judge Keith M. Sutherland, Cargill was ordered to pay $160,000 to the Audrain County School Fund, $62,687.42 to the Missouri Conservation Commission Fund and $54,091.23 to the Natural Resources Protection Fund.

In addition, Cargill was ordered to pay $10,000 to the state to cover the legal and investigative costs of the Attorney General's Office.

Judge Sutherland also ordered that if Cargill wishes to stock animals at the McCaw Farm, it must provide 120 days advance notice to the Department of Natural Resources. If Cargill and MDNR cannot reach an agreement on stocking the facility, MDNR retains the right to sue to prevent Cargill from stocking animals in the barns.

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