Iowa’s Attorney General is taking more legal action against mega pork processor Smithfield Foods. The A-G says a deal by Smithfield to sell off Iowa hogs aquired in the purchase of Murphy Farms doesn’t comply with Iowa law prohibiting a processor from owning livestock in the state. Smithfield sold the hogs from some 300 producers to a company called Stoecker Farms.Assistant Attorney General Stephen Moline says Stoecker farms is purchasing the approximately 900-thousand Iowa hogs almost solely on a loan from Murphy farms. Smithfield sold the hogs after the state filed a lawsuit in January seeking to block its aquisition of the Iowa operations of Murphy Farms. Moline says the state is asking the court to appoint an expert known as special master to review the case. The special master will determine if the arrangement does violate Iowa law.He says they want to force Smithfield to give up all control of the Iowa hogs.The Attorney General filed the suit in Humboldt County District Court.
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