The $100,000 will fund increased inspections at a time when budgets and staff are limited Christine Fraser, a Department of Agriculture veterinarian who was instrumental in the settlement, told the Sun Journal. "If we are out there more often, we'll be able to stop things before they get this bad. We might be able to just give some direction short of it becoming a violation and say, 'Don't do that. Do this instead.'"
Nathan Runkle, executive director of Chicago-based Mercy For Animals also hailed the agreement. "Over the next five years, if Maine Contract Farming fails the unannounced inspections it has agreed to, criminal charges will likely be filed."
"We are pleased to put this matter behind us so we can focus on the successful operation of our farm," said Jack DeCoster's son, Jay, who is operations manager at Maine Contract Farming.
It was not a new statement.
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