The United States and Canada are among the world’s biggest shippers of beef and pork, reports Reuters.
According to more than a dozen interviews with U.S and Canadian plant workers, union leaders and industry analysts, a lack of protective equipment and the nature of “elbow to elbow” work required to debone chickens, chop beef and slice hams are highlighting risks for employees and limiting output as some forego the low-paying work.
Companies that added protections, such as enhanced cleaning or spacing out workers, say the moves are further slowing meat production.
The latest plant closure came on Monday when JBS said it will shutter its Greeley, CO, beef plant, which accounts for about 5% of the country’s production, until April 24.
Read the full report here.
