Ernst Stands Up for Local Meat and Poultry Processors

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are calling on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan to withdraw a proposed rule covering wastewater discharged by small meat and poultry processors. Eight of their Senate Republican colleagues joined the letter.

“Given the technical complexity and high costs of wastewater treatment alterations, coupled with the massive expansion of the number of regulated facilities, a 60-day comment period demonstrates EPA is not interested in seeking meaningful input from the regulated industry. As such, we urge EPA to withdraw the rule,” wrote the lawmakers.

In their letter, Ernst and Fischer called on Administrator Regan to earnestly work with stakeholders in any future rulemaking, ensuring that EPA’s actions do not compromise the U.S. food system.

“The proposed rule exposes hundreds of operators to a new regulatory regime with significant costs and a disregard of the ramifications on stakeholders … We are concerned the number of potential closures is likely much higher than estimated, and we believe it is irresponsible for EPA to propose regulations that will arbitrarily close plants and eliminate jobs from the rural economy,” they continued.

Background:

In November 2023, Ernst and Fischer urged the EPA to ensure that small meat and poultry processing facilities are fairly considered under proposed revisions to the Meat and Poultry Products (MPP) Effluent Guidelines and Standards.

On January 24, 2024, the EPA published its proposed rule on the MPP category wastewater discharge regulations and standards. The rule included three regulatory options that the EPA estimates will impact between 844 and 1,618 facilities.

The proposed rule only provides a 60-day comment period and will close on March 25, 2024. The EPA recently announced to stakeholders that it will not be extending the comment period.

The letter calls on the EPA to withdraw the proposed rule. It claims that a 60-day comment period does not allow time for meaningful feedback on three proposals and expanding regulations on meat, poultry, and rendering facilities. The letter also expresses concern that the EPA’s cost estimates are extremely low relative to projects completed in recent years and that the EPA failed to provide adequate technical documentation to support its cost estimates.

Read the full letter here.

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