Tyson Foods executives are raising concerns about the widespread supply chain problems the United States is facing amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The meat processing corporation created a full-page ad that has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
John Tyson — Chairman of the Tyson Foods board — noted the challenges the company is now facing as a result of having to shutter its doors. Tyson warns “the food supply chain is breaking” and because of that, there is no guarantee their plants can remain open.
Tyson Foods didn’t mince words in a full page @nytimes ad Sunday, warning, “the food supply chain is breaking.”
— Mosheh Oinounou (@Mosheh) April 27, 2020
“As pork, beef and chicken plants are being forced to close…millions of pounds of meat will disappear from the supply chain,” John Tyson wrote. pic.twitter.com/0jJxrMOngw
Tyson went on to explain the longterm impacts the pandemic will have on meat processing. Since the coronavirus outbreak has led to the abrupt closure of meat processing plants around the country, farms now have limited outlets to sell livestock.
Tyson continued to say that millions of pounds of meat will ultimately disappear from the full supply chain. With overstock and no available options to sell, “Millions of animals — chickens, pigs, and cattle — will be depopulated because of the closure of our processing facilities.”
He also warned of the food shortages to come saying, “There will be limited supply of our products available in grocery stores until we are able to reopen our facilities that are currently closed.”
The ad also offered details about the company’s steps to aid its employees during this difficult time.
In these challenging days, we have a responsibility to feed our nation and the world. Though a delicate balance, our top priority remains team member safety. Together, we will get through this and forge a path forward. Read more about our efforts from our Chairman John H. Tyson.
— Tyson Foods (@TysonFoods) April 27, 2020
For workers who become sick, Tyson has agreed to waive the waiting period normally required for short-term disability. Under this provision, short-term disability payments would be disbursed immediately while co-pay, co-insurance, and deductibles would be waived for doctor’s office visits for coronavirus testing.
The one-page ad follows multiple meat processing plant closures due to coronavirus outbreaks. Currently, reports have revealed approximately 182 coronavirus cases have been linked to the company’s largest pork processing plant in Waterloo, Iowa.
Tyson Foods is the country’s second-largest meat processor for beef, pork, and chicken. As of Monday morning, there are more than 990,000 positive coronavirus cases in the United States.