President
Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered meat-processing plants to stay open to protect the food supply in the
United States, despite concerns about
Coronavirus outbreaks, drawing a backlash from unions that said at-risk workers required more protection.
With concerns about food shortages and supply chain disruptions, Trump issued an executive order using the Defense Production Act to mandate that the plants continue to function.
The world's biggest meat companies, including Smithfield Foods Inc , Cargill Inc , JBS
USA [JBS.UL] and Tyson, have halted operations at about 20 slaughterhouses and processing plants in North America as workers fall ill, stoking global fears of a meat shortage.