The U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified pork processing plants running at higher speeds to prepare to process no more than 1,106 hogs an hours. That’s’ following a Federal Court Ruling in March that said USDA hadn’t fully assessed how faster processing affects worker safety. North American Meat Institute’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel Mark Dopp says if the ruling holds up it’ll negatively impact the processing plants, their workers and pork producers.
He says data shows worker safety is enhanced by the faster speeds and if those aren’t allowed, then plants will have to operate for more days increasing worker hours and effecting their safety that way.
Dopp says if the court ruling stands and then processors don’t work more days, that’ll lead to a back up of hogs. He’s hoping the USDA appeals the court decision.
Dopp says if USDA doesn’t appeal, then the agency should look at giving waivers to plants already running at the higher rates.
