WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2025 — The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today extended deep appreciation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plan to make permanent the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) increased line speed program.
“America’s pork producers thank U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for this needed action that will provide financial security and more stability for pork producers,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “Without this program, some pork producers could have incurred an additional loss of nearly $10 a head.”
NPPC is grateful that USDA, under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, recognizes that food safety remains without compromise – while greater efficiency benefits producers and consumers.
Since 2019, NPPC has advocated for increased line speeds.
- In November 2021, FSIS permitted increased line speeds at six pork packing plants while simultaneously gathering data to evaluate potential worker impacts.
- In December 2023, FSIS extended the trials for an additional 90 days.
- In February 2024, FSIS again extended the trials through Jan. 15, 2025. In April 2024, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin discussed the pilot program with producers at NPPC’s legislative action conference.
- In May 2024, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) introduced his Farm Bill framework, making permanent the program, among several NPPC priorities.
- In January 2025, FSIS released the results of a months-long study at six plants, concluding that “line speeds were not determined to be the leading factor in worker musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk at these plants.”
NPPC looks forward to continued engagement with Secretary Rollins and FSIS to increase NSIS line speed adoption at additional plants.
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