PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - One of Illinois' largest pork producers has canceled its plans to build a hog confinement in downstate Fulton County.
The affiliate of Professional Swine Management formally removed its notice of intent to construct from the Illinois Department of Agriculture last week.
The decision came a day after local residents, who feared the waste from the facility could pollute rivers and creeks, protested the hog confinement at a meeting last Wednesday.
However, state agricultural officials say Professional Swine Management could restart the permitting process if they turn in a new application.
A company official couldn't be reached for comment.
Nearly half of the 1 million fish killed in Illinois water pollution incidents from 2005 to 2014 were due to waste spills from hog confinements.
