KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Despite an order Tuesday night from President Donald Trump requiring meatpacking plants to remain open, the Missouri Pork Association said Wednesday that ongoing capacity issues could still leave issues in the food system.
In a statement, MPA chairman Marcus Belshe said pig farmers appreciated the President’s order and the recognition of the importance of the nation’s food supply.
However, Belche said plant capacity, the value of hogs and farmers facing financial liquidation have combined to form an uncertain situation.
“Getting pork packing plants back online is the priority,” Belshe said in the statement. “However, the tragic reality is that millions of hogs may not enter the food supply, and if we must euthanize pigs, we have to do so in an orderly, ethical and safe way.”
Belshe said coordination between the industry and all levels of government will be required to “keep our plants open.”
In the order, Trump used the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as a critical industry to ensure that production plants stay open.
Workers at several major meat processing facilities, including some in Kansas and Missouri, have tested positive for COVID-19 as officials ramp up testing.
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