Poultry Companies Ask Judge To Limit Evidence

A Washington County circuit judge has scheduled a hearing next month in a lawsuit that accuses several poultry companies over chicken litter that allegedly contains high levels of arsenic.

Judge Kim Smith is to take up several issues at the hearing Aug. 3 in Fayetteville. The lawsuit was filed by Michael and Mary Green who say their son's health problems were related to exposure to chicken litter.

Tyson Foods, George's, and Cargill are among the defendants. The companies say the allegation is speculative and scientifically unsound. They want the judge to prohibit references to them as the "poultry industry." They say the Greens should be required to prove a specific company caused specific health problems, rather than making general statements about the poultry industry.

They also want the judge to exclude statements attributed to staff at Arkansas Children's Hospital that there is a link between the poultry industry and childhood health problems in northwest Arkansas. In addition, they want the judge to bar references to odor and dust clouds associated with spreading chicken litter.

A trial is set for Sept. 5. Similar lawsuits against the companies are pending.