The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed to amend federal meat inspection regulations to repeal what the agency calls a redundant requirement for hog slaughter operations. The proposal calls for removing the requirement that hog slaughter establishment clean hog carcasses before cutting. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Executive Director Al Juhnke thinks that’s a positive move.

He says there are no real safety concerns with this proposal.

Juhnke adds that because most of those slaughtering facilities have automated equipment, that increases the safety factor as well.

The proposal is part of the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s attempt to streamline regulations.