FRESNO, CALIF. — A settlement was reached between California Attorney Rob Bonta and Western Valley Meat Co., a subsidiary of Central Valley Meat, to maintain at least 700 plant jobs for at least 12 months.

In May, Western Valley announced the purchase of the Fresno beef plant from Cargill and planned to cut jobs by August, but now has to wait at least a year.

Bonta said Cargill and Central Valley Meat are two of the largest facilities in the San Joquin Valley that slaughter cows. Both facilities purchase culled cattle from dairy producers. Central Valley currently runs a facility in Hanford, Calif.

“For dairy farmers, the loss of the Fresno Cargill plant could have meant lower cattle prices and fewer options when selling their cattle,” Bonta said. “The Central Valley has fed California and the US for decades, and today I am proud to have secured the continued operation of an important processing plant and protection of 700 jobs for at least 12 months.”

The complaint stated that Cargill’s Fresno California facility processed more than 300,000 head of culled cattle annually, according to federal government data from the USDA.

“Food is a national security issue,” said Representative Jim Costa, (D-Calif). “By combining resources and expertise, this acquisition will not only support local dairy farmers but also meet market demand and keep our supply chain intact. I am grateful to our local and state partners like Attorney General Rob Bonta who worked to sustain good paying jobs in the San Joaquin Valley and find paths forward.”

The AG’s office said the deal sparked competition concerns because market pressure processors “could suppress prices offered to dairy farmers, or the plant capacity could have disappeared altogether.”

The statement also said there was a risk that the Fresno plant could shut down, leading to fewer options to sell cattle.

The deal with California and Western Valley Meat also said that workers remain employed and must have wages and benefits equal to or better than those offered before the merger.

In the previous announcement the company stated that Cargill also operates a ground beef and hamburger patty plant in Fresno, which was part of the deal. According to Central Valley, “The ground beef facility was included in the sale and is being leased back to Cargill, where it will continue to operate.”

In 2019, Central Valley Meat Co. acquired Harris Ranch Beef Co. in Selma. It also operates Central Valley Meat in Hanford, CLW Foods in Los Angeles and Harris Ranch Feeding in Coalinga.