HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) -- Poultry producer George's Inc. is seeking to expedite a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging its purchase of a Tyson Food Inc. plant in Harrisonburg.
George's says in court documents filed Monday that local poultry farmers could be harmed if the case is delayed.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit last week in U.S. District Court. It claims the sale would reduce the number of poultry processors around Harrisonburg, giving farmers little choice when it came time to sign contracts to grow chickens.
The Harrisonburg Daily News-Record reports attorneys for George's argue the suit could impede the company's ability to revive the plant, which lost $10 million in the past three years. The plant's sale was announced March 18.
Tyson and George's are both based in Springdale, Ark.