TOPLINEPresident Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that invoked the Defense Production Act to keep meat plants open as industry leaders sound the alarm about possible shortages—and critics say is executive overreach that compromises workers’ safety. AP Photo/Evan VucciKEY FACTSTrump first mentioned the executive order during an Oval Office meeting with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the New York Times reported. Recent meat plant closures due to coronavirus “threaten the continued functioning of the national meat and poultry supply chain, undermining critical infrastructure during the national emergency,” according to Trump’s order. The White House decided to use an executive order after learning that up to 80% of the country’s meat production capacity could be reduced in the pandemic, Bloomberg reported earlier on Tuesday. Key backgroundThe Defense Production Act of 1950 was passed during the Korean War.

Source: Forbes April 29, 2020 13:08 UTC