Widespread news of meat processing plants across the country shutting down due to infected workers has prompted the director of Arizona’s Department of Agriculture to reassure residents about the safety of the state’s food supply.

Mark Killian said Tuesday that producers are working to ensure safety. “Producers in Arizona are doing everything they can to protect their employees and watch the social distancing. I mean, most of the plants have changed some of their operations in order to do that," Killian said. 

Killian, who was a former Arizona speaker of the House before becoming director, also said too many farmers and ranchers are facing bankruptcy, a reality that must be addressed by the federal government.

“The Congress and the president have got to address American agriculture. If they don’t, we’re going to wake up and be dependent on other countries for our food," Killian said. 

He said he hopes many small ranches and farms in the state continue to succeed with direct-to-consumer sales.  

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