Egg farm appeals decision

COLUMBUS (AP) -- The state's largest egg producer has filed an appeal of the Ohio Department of Agriculture's decision to revoke its operating permits for providing false information on its applications. If the state succeeds in shutting down Ohio Fresh Eggs, the company would have to close facilities in Licking, Wyandot and Hardin counties and remove millions of chickens. Ohio Fresh Eggs bought the former Buckeye Egg Farm in February 2004 after that company's repeated run-ins with the state over environmental violations. The agriculture department said Ohio Fresh Eggs failed to disclose the management role in the company of Jack DeCoster, who operates egg farms in other states and has a history of environmental violations. Because DeCoster was not listed as a manager, the state did not do the required background check on him and find out about problems with his operations in other states, the agriculture department said. Ohio Fresh Eggs spokesman Harry Palmer has said DeCoster is a financial partner in the company but doesn't make day-to-day management decisions.