Covid-19: Tönnies slaughterhouse can ship again to China
Germany’s largest slaughterhouse in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, owned by Tönnies, has received the thumbs-up to resume exports of pig meat to China. Trade had been suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Tönnies slaughterhouse received permission to do so on August 17. About 4 weeks ago, the abattoir resumed operations after having been shut down for a full month due to a Covid-19 outbreak amongst the staff. The Chinese authorities now stated that the measures are sufficient to allow trade again. The measures include the testing of staff various times per week.
Slaughtering 25,000 pigs/day
The plant in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, in the state North Rhine Westphalia, normally slaughters roughly 25,000 pigs/day. Levels are now back at 17,000/day and staff is operating in 2 shifts. During the suspension, Tönnies could continue to export from other plants throughout Germany, e.g. in Weiβenfels and Sögel.
As a result of the Covid-19 crisis, Tönnies has decided to start recruiting its own staff again. Until recently, the company hired its – mostly Eastern European – staff through employment agencies. This type of construction will soon be phased out in Germany’s meat industry.
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