(29 Apr 2020) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus135103

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds says US consumers could see a meat shortage in a matter of days as social distancing orders have shut down a large portion of the meat processing industry.
His comments in an interview with the Associated Press on Tuesday morning came before President Donald Trump said he would would sign an executive order meant to stave off a shortage of chicken, pork and other meat on American supermarket shelves because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, Sen. Rounds sent a letter asking President Trump to use the Defense Production Act to help meat processing plants that have had to shut down due to an outbreak of coronavirus cases.
Sen. Rounds said that he thinks the government should issue guidance for plants on how to safely reopen. It's not clear whether the president's executive order will include or call for specific guidance on workplace safety.
In The Associated Press interview, Sen. Rounds said, "we will be euthanizing literally millions of head of livestock on a monthly basis, until such time as we get back into operation again."
At the time of the AP's interview on Tuesday, Sen. Rounds had not heard directly from the president in response to his letter. He said that he had received acknowledgement that the White House had received his letter.
The order will use the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as a critical industry to ensure that production plants stay open. Trump has said the executive order he is going to sign will focus on liability.
Tuesday afternoon, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said she doesn't think the executive order applied to a Smithfield plant in Sioux Falls that closed because of an outbreak that has infected over 800 employees. She believes the plant could open in a few days, but said that it was Smithfield's call to reopen.
The order comes after industry leaders warned that consumers could see meat shortages in a matter of days after workers at major facilities tested positive for the virus. A senior White House official outlined the order on condition of anonymity to discuss it before its release.

Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ] ​​
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]


You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть