A proposed Pilgrim’s Pride poultry rendering plant at the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden, Alabama, is unlikely to come into fruition, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) deemed such a facility to be a “hazardous wildlife attractant.”
Since FAA approval is needed in order for the project to move forward, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, in July had written to the FAA to express concerns that his constituents had concerning the project. Most of those concerns related to public health, environmental quality, future economic development in the county and property values, but airport safety was also mentioned.
Shannetta R. Griffin, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, wrote back to Aderholt on August 10. In the letter, Griffin acknowledged that the agency received “a number of emails from concerned pilots and local citizens regarding this proposed development.”
While Griffin did not directly state that the proposal would be denied, she did convey that the FAA recommends “a distance of five miles between the closest point of the airport’s aircraft operations area and a hazardous wildlife attractant.”
Aderholt released the following statement after receiving the letter: “The letter from the FAA makes it clear that such a facility, which they believe would attract wildlife, would not be a good choice to locate on airport property.
“While the FAA remains open to proposals for the plant, I think any reasonable person who reads their letter can conclude a poultry rendering plant is not likely to get their blessing to go forward. I believe this effectively ends this proposal for the plant.”
Pilgrim’s Pride had reportedly made an offer to purchase 88 acres at the Gadsden site for either $1,100,000 or enter a 30-year lease for $55,000 a year. A second offer was made by a group of local business leaders known as Advance Etowah, which wants to acquire the land for $1,200,00 or enter a 30-year lease for $60,000 a year.
Pilgrim’s Pride is the second largest poultry company in the United States. Last week, Brazilian meat and poultry company JBS – which owns an 80.21% stake in Pilgrim’s Pride – offered to purchase all remaining shares of the company.
