KJ Poultry Issues Statement About Settlement of Federal Lawsuit

Statement by Kiryas Joel Poultry Processing Plant, Inc. (“KJ Poultry”) about federal lawsuit announcement:

KJ Poultry is the New York region’s premier source of kosher chicken, as well as the employer of over 300 Orange County residents. Today’s agreement with the federal government resolves past environmental issues that KJ Poultry thoroughly addressed in the Fall of 2011, when the company completed installation of a new wastewater pretreatment facility and an improved stormwater drain system surrounding the plant’s exterior. Since the completion of these improvements, inadvertent spills and overflows have been eliminated, the plant’s wastewater has consistently met the requirements of the plant’s discharge permit, and inadvertent discharges of pollutants from stormwater runoff have been eliminated.

Nonetheless, the government wanted to reach agreement with the company concerning past violations allegedly caused by KJ Poultry. The company made a business decision to enter into an agreement with the government rather than spend resources litigating in court. The terms of this agreement are consistent with comparable agreements entered into by food processors elsewhere in the country. The violations alleged by the government were inadvertent and sporadic (as reflected in Section V of the agreement), and did not involve toxic pollutants or otherwise harm the environment.

The company is proud of its environmental compliance record, and looks forward to continuing to produce the best kosher poultry in the region.

For further questions, please contact the company’s environmental counsel, Edward Scarvalone, Doar Rieck Kaley & Mack, 217 Broadway, New York NY 10007, tel. 212-619-3730, email escarvalone@doarlaw.com.

Chaim Oberlander

General Manager