Click here to view original web page at www.breitbart.com
SmithFields Vernon Plant Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced it is shutting down a hog plant in California because of the exorbitant costs of doing business in the Golden State.
Smithfield Foods, Inc. – bought by China-based pork juggernaut the WH Group in 2013 – made the announcement in a press release Friday, stating it is halting “all harvest and processing operations” at its Vernon, California, facility early next year. Compared to plants in other states, utility cost in California “is 3.5 times higher per head to produce pork,” the Wall Street Journal reported a company spokesman as saying.
“It’s increasingly challenging to operate efficiently there,” Smithfield spokesman Jim Monroe told the publication. “We’re striving to keep costs down and keep food affordable.”
Smithfield is further looking into exiting its California and Arizona farms and intends to scale back its sow herd in Utah, per the release.
“Smithfield is taking these steps due to the escalating cost of doing business in California,” the release noted.
Some 1,800 employees work at the Vernon plant, according to the Journal , and Smithfield said it is “providing transition assistance to all impacted employees.” Employees are being presented with options to relocate to new facilities “as well as retention incentives to ensure business continuity until early next year,” Smithfield stated.
Smithfield and a number of labor unions came to an agreement in recent days as part of the plan to shutter the plant.
“We are grateful to our team members in the Western region for their dedication and invaluable contributions to our mission,” said Chief Operating Officer Brady Stewart. “We are committed to providing financial and other transition assistance to employees impacted by this difficult decision.”Earlier this month, Breitbart News reported that rising farm inflation has driven up costs of production for farmers: April Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, […]
They’re Trying to Shut Us Down
Over the last several months, I’ve lost count of how many times the powers-that-be have tried to shut us down. They’ve sent hackers at us, forcing us to take extreme measures on web security. They sent attorneys after us, but thankfully we’re not easily intimidated by baseless accusations or threats. They’ve even gone so far as to make physical threats. Those can actually be a bit worrisome but Remington has me covered.
For us to continue to deliver the truth that Americans need to read and hear, we ask you, our amazing audience, for financial assistance. We have a Giving Fuel page to help us pay the bills. It’s brand new so don’t be discouraged by the lack of donations there. It’s a funny reality that the fewer the donations that have been made, the less likely people are willing to donate to it. One would think this is counterintuitive, but sometimes people are skeptical because they think that perhaps there’s a reason others haven’t been donating. In our situation, we’re just getting started so please don’t be shy if you have the means to help.
Thank you and God bless!
JD Rucker