(Vegan AF) — In a new research report released by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, it is estimated that the beef cattle industry in the U.S. will lose approximately $13.6 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is expected that the meat industry will continue to experience severe financial impacts well through 2020. The economic strain has been so extreme that the meat industry is seeking additional financial relief from the government to stay afloat.
On top of that, more than 6,500 meat and food-processing workers have been infected with or exposed to COVID-19, and 20 have died, the country’s largest meatpacking union, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) recently stated.
Despite this, President Trump has ordered that slaughterhouses in the U.S. remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump signed an executive order using the Defense Production Act to mandate which would require the processing plants continue to function.
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