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By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday April 8, 2020

Apr 8, 2020 | 9:54 AM

Maple Leaf Foods has suspended operations at its Brampton, Ont. poultry plant starting today after three employees tested positive for COVID-19.

The company said the decision was made in consultation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency which regulates the plants.

In the latest update from Maple Leaf this morning it announced one employee at the Heritage plant in Hamilton also tested positive.

The company implemented its COVID-19 response plans and notified any coworkers who had close contact with those individuals so that they can self-quarantine for 14 days.

Both plants employ 13,000 people.

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Cargill has closed a meat plant in Pennsylvania due to concerns around COVID-19.

Reuters is reporting the plant closed yesterday stating the goal is to keep its 900 employees healthy and minimize risk within Hazleton community which has been impacted by the pandemic.

The facility produces meat for retail food customers. The products include ground beef, steaks, beef roasts and pork products that are sold at grocery stores across the U.S.

Officials have said the facility will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

Tyson Foods and JBS USA announced Monday they shut three facilities that produce pork and beef in Iowa and Pennsylvania.

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There has been another cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prairieland Park officials said the annual Saskatchewan Beef Expo will not go head.

Originally the event was postponed until May but will instead be cancelled for this year.

The event is set to return in 2021.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF