President Trump recently used the Defense Production Act to open up meat processing plants. An Illinois congressman hopes it will help with the backup in the food supply.

Representative Darin Lahood indicated there is much anxiety among livestock producers created by the pandemic. Rep. LaHood hopes the executive order will help alleviate the food supply chain backup.

Rep. LaHood points out that many of the plants in other states that Illinois producers send their livestock have been shut down due to the coronavirus. He says while public health is an important issue, it is also a problem if livestock has to be euthanized.

Through the implementation of social distancing within the plants along with access to rapid testing, Rep. Lahood believes both public health issues and economic issues can be healthily balanced.

Other than the weather, Rep. LaHood notes his constituents are reporting a good planting season.