The Ohio agriculture department has revoked all 16 operating permits issued to the state's largest egg producer.
Ohio Fresh Eggs has 12 farms in Licking, Hardin and Wyandot counties. Agriculture officials say Ohio Fresh Eggs failed to disclose the name of the individual with ownership and control in the company - Austin "Jack" DeCoster. Ag officials say DeCoster has a history of "substantial violations" of environmental regulations.
Spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bill Schwaderer says Ohio Fresh Eggs could appeal the department's decision to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission. Schwaderer says in the past ERAC has backed the Agriculture Department's ruling.
Schwaderer says, if the egg farms' appeal is denied, the farms have 20 days before they would have to begin shutting down.