Tyson Foods indefinitely suspends operations at Waterloo pork plant

Tyson Foods beef and pork subsidiary Tyson Fresh Meats has announced that it will indefinitely suspend production at its pork plant in Waterloo, Iowa, due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

The Waterloo plant, which is the company’s largest pork processing facility, has been running at reduced production levels due to worker absenteeism.

Tyson Fresh Meats group president Steve Stouffer said: “Protecting our team members is our top priority and the reason we’ve implemented numerous safety measures during this challenging and unprecedented time.

“Despite our continued efforts to keep our people safe while fulfilling our critical role of feeding American families, the combination of worker absenteeism, Covid-19 cases and community concerns has resulted in our decision to stop production.

The company said that it will invite all the 2,800 team members at the facility later this week for Covid-19 testing.

The Tyson Foods subsidiary said that all Waterloo team members will receive payment during the plant closure.

Resuming operations at the facility would depend on various factors, including the outcome of Covid-19 test results of team members.

Stouffer added: “The closure has significant ramifications beyond our company since the plant is part of a larger supply chain that includes hundreds of independent farmers, truckers, distributors and customers, including grocers.

“It means the loss of a vital market outlet for farmers and further contributes to the disruption of the nation’s pork supply.”

Earlier this month, Tyson Foods temporarily suspended operations at its pork plant in Columbus Junction, Iowa, US, as more than two dozen employees working at the facility are said to have been affected by Covid-19.

Tyson Foods noted that the decision to suspend operations at the facility was taken out of an ‘abundance of caution’.