Federal Magistrate Judge Sam A. Joyner issued an order last week scheduling oral arguments on Arkansas' motion to intervene at 9:30 a.m. May 2 in Tulsa.

The lawsuit was filed by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson in June 2005 against eight poultry companies and six of their subsidiaries.

The lawsuit threatens Arkansas' sovereignty, said Chief Deputy Justin Allen of Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's office.

"Without doubt, Arkansas has a great interest in protecting the sanctity of its sovereign laws and the activities of its citizens that are in compliance with Arkansas law," Allen said.

Arkansas first asked the supreme court to consider the issue before filing the motion in federal court last year. The supreme court declined to take up the issue.