Plant board, farmer battle is ongoing

Proceedings in the legal action against the forced implementation of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program in Mississippi and eastern Craighead counties have been continued, according to Allen Gates of the Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates and Woodyard law firm of Little Rock.

Gates, who represents Mississippi County cotton producers against the eradication program, said hearings on the issue took place Saturday and then again Monday in Little Rock.

He said his clients had completed presenting their direct evidence in the case, but the state Plant Board was still in the process of presenting its case.

Because of prior commitments on the part of the judge and the attorneys, Gates said he feels it may be as long as two weeks before the trial can continue.

Gates said evidence was presented by Darrell Little, Plant Board director; Don Johnson of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service; and Danny Kiser, eradication program director. He said Kiser's testimony will continue when the hearing reconvenes, and testimony is expected to be presented by Al Hyneman of the state Boll Weevil Foundation.

Cotton farmers and crop-share landowners were forced into the Boll Weevil Eradication Program this year despite the fact that they voted against the program in five separate referendums. The Arkansas Plant Board used a law passed in 1917 to control pests in abandoned orchards to force implementation of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program in this area.