USDA Proposes Increasing Poultry, Pork Line Speeds

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed increasing federal line speeds in poultry and pork establishments on Feb. 17.

USDA’s proposals would update limits, allowing eligible establishments to operate at speeds supported by their processes, equipment and food safety performance, with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) maintaining oversight. The proposals reaffirm the authority of inspectors to slow or stop operations when inspection cannot be performed effectively.

The updated regulations would also remove worker safety attestations that fall outside USDA’s statutory authority.

The agency said in a press release that the proposed updates “reflect years of data and experience” and are designed to lower costs for consumers, reduce  what it called “outdated regulatory barriers” for processors and support a more efficient food supply.

“As secretary, my responsibility is to ensure that American families have access to affordable, safe and abundant food,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “These updates remove outdated bottlenecks so that we can lower production costs and create greater stability in our food system. By bringing our regulations in line with proven, real-world capabilities, we are supporting a stronger supply chain, giving producers and processors the certainty they need, and helping keep groceries more affordable for every household.”

New Poultry Inspection System Proposed Rule.

The proposed rule would update regulatory requirements for establishments operating under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS). The proposal would:

• Permit NPIS establishments to operate at line speeds of up to 175 birds per minute for young chickens and up to 60 birds per minute for turkeys when maintaining process control.
• Affirm the authority of the Inspector in charge to require a reduction in operating speed whenever carcass-by-carcass inspection cannot be adequately performed or when establishments lose process control.
• Remove certain requirements that fall outside FSIS’ statutory authority while preserving all food safety verification activities and inspection responsibilities.

New Swine Inspection System Proposed Rule.

The proposed rule would update regulatory requirements for establishments operating under the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS). The proposal would:

• Remove the maximum line speed limit of 1,106 head per hour for NSIS establishments.
• Allow establishments to set operating speeds based on their ability to maintain process control and comply with all food safety requirements.
• Maintain full carcass-by-carcass inspection and all verification activities conducted by FSIS inspection personnel.
• Clarify and streamline regulatory requirements to align with FSIS’ statutory responsibilities.

Public Comment Period.

USDA invites public comment on both proposed rules. Comments will be accepted for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. More information is available at www.regulations.gov.

Industry Response.

The Meat Institute said the proposed rule changes concerning pork and poultry processing rates will increase production and innovation, helping to ease prices for consumers and benefitting livestock and poultry producers.

“The Meat Institute has supported changes to line speed rules for pork and poultry processing through four administrations,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “We applaud the leadership of the Trump administration in what we hope will be the final action to modernize FSIS rules and procedures to allow for innovation in processing and to increase production. With this long overdue regulatory certainty, our member companies can invest in their operations to continue growth of the processing sector which benefits the consumer with more affordable and nutritious food.”

The National Pork Producers Council applauded the proposed rule to update the New Swine Inspection System’s line speed regulations at pork processing plants. 

“Thank you, Secretary Rollins and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, for taking steps to unleash the potential to process pork more efficiently while also protecting food and worker safety,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “Greater efficiency of increased line speeds provides financial security and more stability for pork producers. Without the NSIS program, some pork producers could have incurred an additional loss of nearly $10 a head.” 

However, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents meatpacking and food processing workers, condemned the proposals, citing worker safety concerns.

“UFCW members work tirelessly to feed America in meatpacking plants every single day,” said Mark Lauritsen, international vice president at UFCW International. “Their work is difficult and often dangerous, but it is essential to helping families put food on the table. The Trump administration’s proposed rule endangers hard-working union and non-union workers alike, all in service to the bottom line of big meatpackers.

“The USDA studies released just last year confirmed that increasing line speeds increases the risk of harm to workers in poultry and pork plants. This proposed rule ignores those studies and seemingly any consideration for worker safety. Workers in non-union plants, who don’t have walking stewards, safety committees or any contract protections, are especially vulnerable. Removing line speed limits and not having proper staffing opens the door to slower production due to injuries, which will do nothing to lower prices and could instead have the opposite effect. Consumers aren’t safe either. Coupled with the administration’s attacks on food inspectors, increasing line speeds put our nation’s food safety in jeopardy. The safety of our food depends on the safety of the workers who process it.”