A recent federal district court ruling that was unchallenged, could result in a 2.5% loss in pork packing plant capacity across the country according to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). The council says that the ruling would lower income by over $80 million for small-scale U.S. hog farmers. This is why they’re trying to push the Department of Ag to step in before the ruling takes effect at the end of June. The federal court’s decision also shot down a provision of USDA’s New Swine Inspection System, which allowed for faster line speeds in pork facilities.
NPPC says that the court’s ruling will have the opposite effect wanted by those looking to grow the number of pork meatpacking plants in the United States. Not long ago, lawmakers called for an increase in the number of pork processing facilities in the United States by bringing smaller state plants up to federal inspection standards. “With the stroke of a judge’s pen, the lives of many hog farmers will be upended if this misguided ruling takes effect,” says NPPC President Jen Sorenson.
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