Rep. Mann, Colleagues urge President Biden's EPA to end Burdensome Agricultural Processing Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), and U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), led 25 members in sending a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan urging him to withdraw a proposed rule impacting meat and poultry processing and rendering facilities.

On December 15, the Biden Administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule to revise wastewater discharge standards for meat and poultry processing and rendering facilities. The proposed rule would greatly decrease the allowable levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in wastewater discharge, requiring facilities to increase treatment standards for their operation. Additionally, the EPA is proposing, for the first time, to require facilities to treat wastewater that is indirectly discharged into regulated waters.

"Given the technical complexity and high costs of wastewater treatment alterations, coupled with the massive expansion of the number of regulated facilities, a 60-day comment period demonstrates EPA is not interested in seeking meaningful input from the regulated community," the members wrote. "This costly and technically complex proposed rule would burden hundreds of meat, poultry, and rendering facilities with unnecessary red tape. As Members of Congress representing districts with meat, poultry, and rendering facilities and as Members of Congress who recognize these facilities’ essential role within our communities and the larger food supply chain, we urge EPA to withdraw this shortsighted proposal."

“It is irresponsible for the Biden Administration to propose burdensome federal regulations like this, which diminish processing options for producers, eliminate rural jobs, and reduce product availability for consumers,” said Rep. Mann.

The letter pushes against this proposed rule and advocates for EPA to fulfill its duty to work earnestly with the regulated community in any future rulemaking, ensuring that future actions do not compromise America’s food system.

Those who will be affected by this rule are encouraged to express their thoughts and concerns to the EPA. There will be a public hearing hosted on March 20, and EPA will continue to accept public comments through March 25, 2024. Following the close of the public comment period, EPA will begin to review stakeholder input when drafting the Final Rule. 

Click here to read the full text of the letter.

Click here to view Rep. Mann’s Commitment to the Big First.

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