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Trump to sign order keeping meat processing plants open

Trump to sign order keeping meat processing plants open
Posted at 3:50 PM, Apr 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-28 15:50:07-04

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday meant to stave off a shortage of chicken, pork and other meat on American supermarket shelves because of the coronavirus.

The order will use the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as a critical industry to ensure that production plants stay open.

The order comes after industry leaders warned that consumers could see meat shortages in a matter of days after workers at major facilities tested positive for the virus.

A senior White House official outlined the order on condition of anonymity to discuss it before its release.