The Cargill Meat Solutions plant is seen, Friday, April 10, 2020, in Hazleton, Pa. At least four meat processing plants in Pennsylvania are shut down, including Cargill outside the hard-hit city of Hazleton, where more than 160 workers have tested positive, according to a union official.
President Trump signs order to beef up meat production after coronavirus hits plants
The largest union for workers in the plants had called on major meat-producing companies to take immediate action to protect workers.
By Franco Ordonez/NPR
Matt Slocum / AP Photo
The Cargill Meat Solutions plant is seen, Friday, April 10, 2020, in Hazleton, Pa. At least four meat processing plants in Pennsylvania are shut down, including Cargill outside the hard-hit city of Hazleton, where more than 160 workers have tested positive, according to a union official.
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(Washington) — President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday aimed at addressing concerns about meat shortages.
The order invokes the Defense Production Act to ensure beef, pork, poultry and egg plants keep running.
“It is important that processors of beef, pork, and poultry (“meat and poultry”) in the food supply chain continue operating and fulfilling orders to ensure a continued supply of protein for Americans,” the order reads. “However, outbreaks of COVID-19 among workers at some processing facilities have led to the reduction in some of those facilities’ production capacity.
Alex Brandon / AP Photo
President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Washington.
The United Food and Commercial Workers union — the largest union for workers in the plants — had called on major meat-producing companies to take immediate action to protect workers after thousands have become infected with the virus. At least 13 workers have died.
Trump told reporters at the White House that he is working on a plan “to solve any liability problems” for meat processors.
Iowa’s Gov. Kim Reynolds and two prominent Republican senators from her state — Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst — have urged the administration to use the Defense Production Act to help farmers and the industry.