Poultry firm reports increased mortality at Mexican plant

The poultry processor Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation revealed it has identified an increased mortality rate in one of its breeder flocks

According to the company, the flock at its complex in the state of Guanajuato, central Mexico, has an increased mortality rate.

Management at the site are currently working with regulatory authorities and performing blood tests to check for the H7N3 virus. Preventative precautions have already been put in place in case the bird-flu virus is present.

Pilgrim’s chief executive officer Bill Lovette said: “We recognise the importance of chicken as a protein source to our customers in Mexico. We’ve taken proactive measures, leveraging our US production facilities to supply eggs and processed meat from our US operations, as well as alternative suppliers locally.

"We expect to be able to source an uninterrupted supply of both hatching eggs and chicken products, allowing us to continue to provide our customers and consumers with high-quality products.”