News Release 5-3-2000 |
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AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER GUS R. DOUGLASS BELIEVES STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS HARMING WEST VIRGINIA'S AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY BY CONTINUING TO ATTACK POULTRY INDUSTRY "Attorney General McGraw has ignored my many attempts to advise him to stop this reckless legal action that a circuit court judge recently explained to him as a matter beyond his jurisdiction," Commissioner Douglass said. "This is a dispute between the integrator and growers, and he has no legal authority in this contractual business." Commissioner Douglass also believes that McGraw's actions have added to the economic instability of the poultry industry in West Virginia. "By announcing this action, the Attorney General has stopped the communication between these two parties. Additionally, his announcement jeopardizes planned agribusiness expansions throughout West Virginia, which would have resulted in economic development and more opportunities for our farm families. We have enough challenges facing agribusiness development without creating a hostile environment that is unnecessary and counterproductive. Douglass considers the Attorney General a fellow public servant who should leave agriculture to the experts. "I have been a farmer for more than fifty years and have always maintained close ties to both
sides of the poultry industry. I would hope the Attorney General would reconsider his rash actions and accept the circuit judge's decision. This would allow both sides of the poultry industry to continue talks and negotiate a
mutually beneficial agreement that will allow our farmers to be productive, while giving companies the confidence that they will find a receptive business climate here in West Virginia." |
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