Smithfield halts hog kill at N. Carolina plant due to hog virus: sources

(The story is refiled to correct annual USDA slaughter figures in paragraph nine) By Meredith Davis and Christine Stebbins (Reuters) – Smithfield Foods Inc, the world’s largest pork processor, suspended hog slaughter at its Tar Heel, North Carolina, plant on Friday because of the spread of the deadly Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) which has tightened hog supplies, industry sources said. The Tar Heel plant, the company’s largest pork processing facility, reduced its slaughter schedule this week to four days from five days, said the sources, who have knowledge of the plant’s operations and hog purchases. Smithfield, acquired last year by China’s Shuanghui International, said it does not comment on daily operations, minor disruptions, and openings or closings of processing plants. Smithfield may also reduce operations at its plant in Clinton, North Carolina, the sources said.