TL;DR:
- Over 300 employees to be affected by the April closure of Missouri Prime Beef Packing’s facility.
- Environmental concerns lead to the withdrawal of a wastewater discharge application, influencing the closure decision.
- The plant’s acquisition by STX Beef Company in 2023 precedes its shutdown.
The state of Missouri has been notified by Missouri Prime Beef Packing of its decision to close its Pleasant Hope processing plant in April, as revealed in a notification letter for worker adjustment and retraining. Set for April 26, this closure will impact 335 workers, as reported on the state’s website.
This announcement follows the company’s retraction of its application to discharge treated wastewater into the Pomme de Terre River, amid environmental concerns and significant public opposition. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources had expressed intentions to deny the petition due to mistrust in the proposed treatment technology, a stance made public in November.
The withdrawal and subsequent closure come in the wake of over 1,500 public comments submitted in opposition to the discharge plan, citing potential risks to the waterway.
Earlier in May 2023, STX Beef Company, based in Texas, acquired Missouri Prime, which had been processing about 750 head of cattle daily at its 88,000-square-foot facility on a 256-acre plot.
Missouri Prime has yet to issue a response regarding the announced closure of the facility.
