Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has once again taken a stand against Tyson Foods, addressing new allegations regarding the sale of processing plants in Dexter and Noel, Missouri. In a letter to Donnie King, the chief executive officer of Tyson Foods, Hawley expressed concerns about the negative impact the sale had on contract poultry growers in the area.
The controversy surrounding Tyson’s decision to sell its Missouri operations to Cal-Maine was brought to light by an Investigate Midwest article, which detailed how the sale resulted in financial hardship for local poultry producers. The former poultry growers for the plants filed a class-action lawsuit against Tyson Foods and Cal-Maine in June 2024, alleging that the sale had left them in a difficult position by eliminating their primary source for birds.
Despite requests for comments, Tyson Foods has remained silent on Hawley’s letter and the allegations outlined in the Investigate Midwest article. Hawley accused Tyson of misleading him about the sale, claiming that the company had assured him they would not prevent a competitor from acquiring the closed plants. However, the lawsuit alleged that Tyson had always intended to sell the plants to a non-competitor, going against their commitments to Hawley and Congressman Jason Smith.
One particularly concerning allegation from the Investigate Midwest report was that Tyson had subpoenaed some of the poultry growers in the lawsuit for their communications with federal investigators and journalists. Hawley condemned this action as a deterrent to First Amendment-protected speech, highlighting the importance of protecting free expression and transparency.
Cal-Maine finalized the acquisition of the two plants in March 2024, further solidifying the impact of Tyson’s sale on the local poultry industry. In response to Tyson’s announcement of the plant closures in 2023, Hawley introduced the Strengthening Antitrust Enforcement for Meatpacking Act, demonstrating his commitment to holding meatpacking companies accountable for their actions.
Hawley’s efforts to uncover the truth about Tyson’s sale of the processing plants and the subsequent impact on local farmers reflect his dedication to advocating for transparency and accountability in the agricultural industry. By standing up for the rights of contract poultry growers and challenging Tyson’s actions, Hawley is working to ensure that farmers are treated fairly and that companies are held responsible for their decisions.
In conclusion, Senator Josh Hawley’s ongoing scrutiny of Tyson Foods and their sale of processing plants in Missouri underscores the importance of addressing corporate practices that harm local farmers and communities. Through his advocacy for transparency and accountability, Hawley is working to protect the interests of contract poultry growers and hold companies accountable for their actions.