SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says getting the idled Smithfield pork packing plant operational again is vital to the nation.
The plant closed two weeks ago as it became a national hotspot for coronavirus cases.
“This is a critical function and a vital function of to the U.S. economy and U.S. health and the safety of having enough food to eat,” Perdue told KELO Radio’s “The Greg Belfrage Show” this morning.
Perdue says he and President Donald Trump want to get meat packers running again, but safely.
“The President did this in order to maintain an efficient food supply for our American families,” Perdue said. “The other purpose–and the primary purpose–is to do so in a very safe and healthy way for our food service workers.”
Perdue gave a further “shout out” to the Smithfield workers for their hard work and courage.
But also gives a “shout out” to some other South Dakotans and Americans.
“In this region, those 550 (pork-producing) families that depend on this production facility down to those people who love to eat the product that comes out of there,” Perdue said.
Perdue stressed safety is as important as getting meat back into consumers’ grocery carts.
“We will be working in conjunction with the CDC, the Centers for Disease Control, as well OSHA,” Perdue said. “It will give a standard here based on those two human health agencies and human safety agencies.”
Earlier this week, Trump signed an executive order based on the Defense Production Act that states could not shut down meat processing plants. So far, Smithfield has not said when it will reopen its Sioux Falls facility.
Click here to listen to the full interview.
