WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, recently introduced the “American Protein Processing Modernization Act.” This act would provide a permanent framework to guarantee that poultry and pork processing facilities can maintain full operational capacity.
Details on the proposed act, included in an announcement, note that it will:
- Follow the science of a time-tested pilot program with a proven record of worker safety, ensuring that processors can operate at full capacity beyond arbitrary government deadlines.
- Require the USDA to publish food safety criteria for operating at increased line speeds, ensuring that processors who meet the criteria can continue operating without fear of an arbitrary slowdown.
- Bring U.S. meat and poultry processing closer to global competitiveness.
- Protect farmers’ livelihoods by reducing the potential for arbitrary reductions in processing capacity, which can result in lost contracts, increased time between plant deliveries, or a reduction in animal units.
“Time and time again, our pork and poultry processors have proven that increased line speeds are safe, effective and better for consumers,” Finstad said. “I’m introducing the “American Protein Processing Modernization Act” to … give American families, farmers and food processors greater certainty in our food supply chain.”
Finstad has consistently been involved in the efforts to keep poultry and pork processing facilities at peak operational capacity. He has been the lead in several letters to the USDA, successfully securing extensions of the time-limited trials and avoiding a harmful slowdown in American processing capacity.
In March, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins gave a line speed waiver extension for certain poultry and swine operations. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has begun finalizing its rule for increased maximum processing line speeds; however, new waivers are not being issued, which does not give long-term certainty, officials noted.
“I commend Rep. Finstad for spearheading this legislation — steeped in science, technology and innovation — that would provide a permanent solution to protect and enhance our nation’s food supply and look forward to working with USDA to get it done,” U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, said.
Multiple national and state organizations endorsed the act, including the Meat Institute, and the National Pork Producers Council.
“Ensuring adequate harvest capacity is essential for America’s pig farmers to continue delivering safe, high-quality pork to breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates across America,” Bryan Humphreys, National Pork Producers Council CEO, said. “We’re grateful for Congressman Finstad’s support in helping meat processing facilities run efficiently and safely.”
