Tyson Food’s pork processing facility in Columbus Junction Iowa has suspended its operations for a week following the discovery of more than two dozen cases of workers testing positive for the coronavirus. That shutdown hits close to home for Iowa Pork Producers Association President Mike Paustian whose operation is near Truro close to Columbus Junction.
He says the hope is that this temporary shutdown doesn’t lead to multiple plant shutdowns that could have a devastating impact on the pork industry.
Paustian says consumers won’t be greatly affected by this Columbus Junction incident.
Tyson officials say they’re diverting the livestock supply that was scheduled for delivery to Columbus Junction to some of their other pork plants in the region. Tyson CEO Noel White says they’re working with federal agencies to secure and adequate supply of protective face coverings for production workers. They’ve also stepped up deep cleaning and sanitizing of their facilities.
