QAF unit shuts Melbourne meat processing plant after employees catch Covid-19

FOOD manufacturer QAF said on Saturday that the meat processing unit of its Australian pork production business Rivalea has temporarily shut down its processing plant in Laverton, Melbourne with immediate effect.

Rivalea's 80 per cent-owned meat processing subsidiary, Diamond Valley Pork (DVP), shut its processing plant after five employees at the plant recorded positive Covid-19 test results.

"As a proactive step, DVP has voluntarily elected to undertake Covid-19 testing of all of its workforce. The shutdown is for a currently undetermined temporary duration," QAF said.

"Contingency plans, which were in place before this development, have been set in motion," it added. "DVP is working with customers to mitigate any supply chain disruptions which may arise from this temporary closure. DVP is undertaking deep cleaning and sanitisation, continues to engage with the relevant government officials and will await the test results before making further decisions."

Rivalea's operations, other than at the Laverton processing plant, remain in operation. QF said it will continue monitor the situation closely, with the health and safety of its employees as the priority.

The temporary closure of DVP's processing plant in Laverton is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the group's financial results for the current financial year.