(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Monday April 20, 2020

Apr 20, 2020 | 10:16 AM

The livestock sector continues to grapple with the impact of COVID-19 on beef packing plants.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen held his weekly update with farm groups, including all major crop and livestock commissions.

Dreeshen highlighted the development of a Business Resumption Protocol to respond to confirmed cases of COVID-19 at meat processing plants such as Cargill Beef in High River and JBS Food in Brooks.

The Alberta and federal governments, with the input and assistance of industry and worker representatives have developed a plan to respond to confirmed cases of COVID-19 in food processing plants.

Dreeshen said the goal of the response plan is to protect workers, while ensuring limited impact to the essential food supply during this pandemic.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an assistance program to help farmers and their customers recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will provide $19 billion in immediate relief to support farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of the food supply chain and ensure Americans continue to receive and have access to food.

The program provides $3.9 billion for row crop producers and $9.6 million to the livestock industry.

National Corn Growers President Kevin Ross said agriculture is facing immense uncertainty and the relief will not only provide direct assistance to corn farmers but also help customers who produce and feed livestock.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF