Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of workers at meat processing plants across Europe have become infected with the virus. A new report by the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) identifies poor working, employment and housing conditions as one reason for the rapid spread of COVID-19 among the industry's predominantly migrant workforce. 

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited the companies named in the report to respond. Danish Crown, 2 Sisters, Asda (Kober), Moy Park, Smithfield and Litera Meat responded. Tönnies, Westfleisch, Vion, Van Rooi Meat, Oscar Mayer, Groupe Sicarev, Kermené, LDC Groupe and Lovenfosse Groupe did not respond.