Prestage Packing Plant fight: the latest
Last night in Mason City, over 250 people packed the city council chambers and overflow room to weigh in on Prestage’s proposed slaughterhouse, with the overwhelming majority voicing opposition to the project. By the end of the 7-hour meeting, only one councilor voted against the slaughterhouse, while the remaining five voted in favor.It’s clear that the councilors are only getting their information from corporate ag industry cheerleaders. But we know what Prestage’s slaughterhouse will mean for Iowa: more factory farms, more dirty water, more taxpayer funds for corporate ag. Prestage would get the profits, while Iowans would get the pollution. Prestage has tried to sweeten the deal by making empty promises to the Mason City community:
They’ll be a “good neighbor,” but Prestage’s lengthy violations and spill history indicates otherwise.
They’ll “donate” $1.4 million to Mason City schools over 10 years, even though this is the same amount Prestage will receive annually from Mason City taxpayers.
They’ll create a 2.5 mile “buffer zone” around Mason City and Clear Lake where Prestage won’t build factory farms, but this doesn’t make any difference to the air and water pollution created by their operations. The company has already back-tracked on its earlier statement that it had no plans to bring more factory farms to Cerro Gordo County in the future.
Iowa CCI is working to put pressure on city councilors to vote NO on this project:
We’re reviewing the materials from our FOIA request. We’ll keep you updated with what we find out!
We’re digging up Prestage’s lengthy spill and violations history.
We’re talking with the Iowa DNR to find out what permits Prestage needs so that we can stop them from getting approved.
The Mason City City Council will take its final vote on the slaughterhouse on May 3. Call the councilors (information below) to tell them that is project means bad news for Iowa, and attend the hearing! We're waiting on details for time and place, but if you live in Mason City, please plan to join us. If you know folks in Mason City, please spread the word!
Eric Bookmeyer, Mayor — (641) 421 - 3600 (City Hall)
Alex Kuhn, At-large — (641) 425-0078
Bill Schickel, At-large — (641) 423-8394 or (641) 512-4502
John Lee, First Ward — (641) 420-7922
Travis Hickey, Second Ward — (641) 423-4565
Brett Schoneman, Third Ward — (641) 423-0500
Janet Solberg, Fourth Ward — (641) 425-0749
Join the Fight
Factory farm proposing to build near you? Have concerns about an existing facility? We can work with you and your community to fight back and stand up for clean air and water and your quality of life.
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