Senator Tom Woods Releases Statement on Tyson, Cargill Settlements

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Tom Woods, R-Westville, issued the following statement Thursday after the State of Oklahoma finalized settlements totaling $25.5 million with Tyson Foods and Cargill, resolving two decades of litigation in Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc.

“In numerous townhalls, discussions, and farm visits I held across Senate District 4, I heard serious concerns from hundreds of poultry farmers and families who feared losing their livelihoods due to the ongoing litigation in Oklahoma v. Tyson. The continued uncertainty threatened not just individual farms, but also placed our rural communities at risk of economic downfall if poultry corporations were to cease operations in the state.

“These agreements put us one step closer to putting this case behind us, and I am thankful eastern Oklahoma poultry producers can now confidently operate and expand their farms without fear of losing contracts or their income.

“The steps outlined in the settlements with Tyson and Cargill will help further restore and protect our natural resources while providing long-term certainty and stability for poultry producers across the region.

“I am extremely grateful to Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, Representative David Hardin, and the many state leaders who joined me in this fight and remained committed to defending the livelihoods of our poultry producers and upholding the strength and stability of our rural economies.”

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For more information, contact: Sen. Tom Woods at 405-521-5576 or email Tom.Woods@oksenate.gov