April 29, 2020

US President Donald Trump orders all US meat processing facilities to stay open

The executive order was announced to protect United States food supply as major meat processing companies in the country announced closures to safeguard workers from the spread of COVID-19, reported Reuters.

Some 20 slaughterhouses and processing plants owned by major meat companies such as Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS USA and Smithfield Foods have been closed as workers have reported to be infected with COVID-19.

The executive order protects companies legally and provides liability protection should workers get infected with COVID-19, adding that only one shutdown of a beef processing plant could result in 10 million lesser beef servings daily.

A government senior administration official said guidance will be given to minimise the risk of virus transmission to workers, such as stay home orders for workers of old age and those with health issues.

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) said the executive order must put the safety of meatpackers first, demanding that the government should call on meat companies to supply high level of protective equipment and ensure daily COVID-19 tests.

The UCFW said 6,500 workers have been infected or exposed to COVID-19, and 20 died.

According to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), about 283,000 swine were slaughtered on April 28, 2020, a 43% reduction before meat plants began closing due to the pandemic. 76,000 cattle were slaughtered, 38% lower.

-      Reuters