President Trump enacts defense production act to ensure nation's food supply
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Trump noted that state or local government action had forced the closure of some plants in parts of the country. "
Such closures threaten the continued functioning of the national meat and poultry supply chain, undermining critical infrastructure during the national emergency. Given the high volume of meat and poultry processed by many facilities, any unnecessary closures can quickly have a large effect on the food supply chain."
The President tasked the U.S. Department of Agriculture with overseeing the response and "
to determine the proper nationwide priorities and allocation of all the materials, services, and facilities necessary to ensure the continued supply of meat and poultry, consistent with the guidance for the operations of meat and poultry processing facilities jointly issued by the CDC and OSHA."
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NC Pork Council reacts to presidential order
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The North Carolina Pork Council issued the following statement today after President Trump issued an
Executive Order
intended to keep meat processing plants open:
“This decisive action has saved countless family farms in North Carolina, while ensuring that health and safety in the workplace remains vital for employees in our essential processing facilities. Our farmers know that difficult days are ahead. The ongoing and severe impacts of the virus remain. We are grateful for actions that have, without question, prevented an entire collapse of the farm economy and this ensures our food supply remains accessible by every American.”
As stated above, and as we are seeing across the Midwest, the disruptions caused by the pandemic are causing severe consequences. The North Carolina Pork Council, industry representatives, and state and federal authorities are in constant communication and planning here in North Carolina that is aimed at ensuring continuity of operations in a very challenging time.
Please keep all those who work in our food supply, from farm to fork, in your prayers.
Below is further information about the Executive Order as well as additional resources related to the pandemic, including a link to a 1-hour webinar with industry veterinarians that has a wealth of information of interest to many at this time.
~Andy Curliss, CEO
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Commissioner Troxler, NCFB president speak out about importance of food workers
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“Agriculture, agribusiness and their workers are essential to our well-being as a nation. This industry is our food supply,” said NC Agriculture Comissioner Steve Troxler. “The workers in the field, those working in processing plants, driving trucks and at grocery stores and farmers markets are on the front line and play a critical role.”
COVID-19 has created challenges across agriculture as it has for all sectors of the economy. Dairy producers have had to dump milk, wholesale vendors to restaurants have had to completely change their business model, and food processors are working with staff shortages, PPE supply issues and delivery challenges.
“This is unusual and unprecedented times,” said NC Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding. “We appreciate our farmers, plant workers and grocery store workers for continuing to do their job. We also appreciate President Trump’s executive order of the Defense Production Act for meat processors.”
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Webinars provide emergency information
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The National Pork Board has hosted several webinars since the pandemic started. You can
watch the recordings
on their website. Recent webinar topics:
- April 28, 2020 – COVID-19 Webinar: Animal Welfare Tools for Pork Producers
- April 26, 2020 – Pork Producer Webinar: Planning for Emergency Depopulation and Disposal
- April 24, 2020 – Tips for Sharing Your Farm Story During COVID-19
- April 21, 2020 – COVID-19 Webinar: Supply Chain Insights for Pork Producers
- April 14, 2020 – COVID-19 Webinar: Public Health Update, Biosecurity, Employee and Financial Resources for Producers
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USDA establishing coordination center to assist producers affected by meat processing plant closures
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American livestock and poultry producers are facing an unprecedented emergency due to COVID-19, particularly with the closing of meat processing plants in several states. USDA is leading the federal response by working in coordination with the Vice President’s Task Force, the CDC, OSHA, Department of Labor, industry, state and local governments, and others across the federal family to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on producers. We will continue to seek solutions to ensure the continuity of operations and return to production as quickly, safely and as health considerations allow at these critical facilities.
While this work continues, the
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
is establishing a National Incident Coordination Center to provide direct support to producers whose animals cannot move to market as a result of processing plant closures due to COVID-19. Going forward, APHIS’ Coordination Center, State Veterinarians, and other state officials will be assisting to help identify potential alternative markets if a producer is unable to move animals, and if necessary, advise and assist on depopulation and disposal methods.
Additionally, APHIS will mobilize and deploy assets of the National Veterinary Stockpile as needed and secure the services of contractors that can supply additional equipment, personnel, and services, much as it did during the large-scale Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza emergency in 2015.
Additionally, the
USDA’s Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS)
will be providing state level technical assistance to producers and will provide cost share assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in line with program guidelines for disposal.
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Tools for Pork Producers to Manage the Impact of COVID-19
The National Pork Board has compiled
resources for producers
to help them manage the impact of COVID-19. These resources include information in English and Spanish on farm crisis operation planning, keeping people and pigs healthy, animal welfare and emergency depopulation.
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NC stay at home order extended to May 8
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Gov. Roy Cooper extended the stay at home order for the entire state of North Carolina, until May 8.
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Please share this information with anyone who may need assistance feeding children while school is out:
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The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.
Read more
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O
ther helpful resources:
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Share your pork pride using #NCPorkProud
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