Activists concerned with the environmental and economic impact of Primera’s proposal to build the state’s largest factory farm in western Wisconsin have learned that the company intends to abandon its search for sites in Dunn, Eau Claire and Polk Counties.

"We understand, from our sources, that Primera has prepared a news release announcing that they will no longer pursue construction of their one million hen laying operations in our area," said Will Fantle, a member of Northern Thunder.

Since the Dunn County Board of Adjustments granted preliminary approval for construction to Primera at a site near Wheeler, the company has been locked in litigation with opponents of the project and citizen opposition has been growing.

"Primera has been driven from this area by the combined opposition of citizens, environmentalists, and AgriBiz," added Mark Warner, a Wheeler resident and member of Citizens for Responsible Development.  "The company’s complete lack of experience with this business and their questionable environmental record elsewhere has caused them problems from the beginning," Warner said.

Last Friday, activists presented DNR regulators with 200 individual letters gathered from across the state demanding that the agency prepare a full environmental impact statement on Primera’s proposal.  "Without this threat, we may never have known how many people cared so deeply about the health of our watershed," said Menomonie resident Marion Lang.  "We now have an opportunity to once again create a vision for building a vibrant, rural agricultural economy."

Primera is rumored to be exploring a possible site near Mauston, WI for a chicken factory farm and a news report on Minnesota Public Radio this morning also indicated that the company is interested in a Mankato, MN location.