According to the Southeast Missourian, a Fruitland meat-processing plant might
have to pay a $70,000 fine for violating the state’s Clean Water Act.
have to pay a $70,000 fine for violating the state’s Clean Water Act.
A lawsuit filed in 2015 by Missouri attorney general Chris
Koster claimed Fruitland American Meat dumped untreated wastewater from animal excrement
and byproducts into Cane Creek in Cape Girardeau County, thus violating
Missouri’s Clean Water Act.
Koster claimed Fruitland American Meat dumped untreated wastewater from animal excrement
and byproducts into Cane Creek in Cape Girardeau County, thus violating
Missouri’s Clean Water Act.
According to court documents, “dark brown or red, foamy
stream water with an offensive odor on one occasion killed 900 fish.
stream water with an offensive odor on one occasion killed 900 fish.
A judge ruled last month that if the company did not fix the
problem by removing the existing wastewater and overhauling its system, it
would face a $70,000 penalty.
problem by removing the existing wastewater and overhauling its system, it
would face a $70,000 penalty.
In addition to polluting precious waterways, manure lagoons
and animal waste make people living in neighboring areas sick. Local residents
often complain of headaches from ammonia. In some places, farm workers have
been overcome by these fumes and died.
and animal waste make people living in neighboring areas sick. Local residents
often complain of headaches from ammonia. In some places, farm workers have
been overcome by these fumes and died.
Last year, an Environment America report found that Tyson, one
of the largest meat producers in the world, is responsible for dumping more toxic pollution into our waterways than companies
like ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical. In fact, animal excrement and other
agricultural runoff from large-scale farms have polluted nearly one-third of
rivers in the U.S.
of the largest meat producers in the world, is responsible for dumping more toxic pollution into our waterways than companies
like ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical. In fact, animal excrement and other
agricultural runoff from large-scale farms have polluted nearly one-third of
rivers in the U.S.
Watch this video of a drone flying over a manure lagoon in
North Carolina.
North Carolina.
Factory farmers demonstrate blatant disregard not only for the
planet and surrounding communities but also for the animals they treat like
meat-producing machines.
planet and surrounding communities but also for the animals they treat like
meat-producing machines.
Undercover investigations on factory farms around the
country have revealed a culture
of cruelty: animals intensively confined, painfully mutilated, and brutally
slaughtered.
country have revealed a culture
of cruelty: animals intensively confined, painfully mutilated, and brutally
slaughtered.
Take a stand for people, the planet, and animals by leaving
meat and other animal products off your plate.
meat and other animal products off your plate.
Get your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide here.
