Meat Processors Adopt Robotics, Automation After CCP Virus Shutdowns

Union calls on USDA to reduce processing line speeds

Plant workers inspect cuts at the Beef Products Inc. (BPI) facility in South Sioux City, Neb., on Nov.19, 2012. Lane Hickenbottom/Reuters

U.S. meat processing giants are speeding up efforts to automate their meat-packaging operations, according to robotics industry specialists.

The move comes as meat processors count the costs of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus crisis.