Posted on 03/11/2024 1:24:07 PM PDT by george76
a larger campaign to drive Americans out of rural areas and centralize access to food, the Biden administration is rolling out a draconian and needless new wastewater rule that could put small and mid-size food processing facilities out of business.
A large group of United States senators and representatives are demanding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdraw a new meat and poultry wastewater proposal, which they claim “stands to hamper rural economies and drive small- and mid-sized processing facilities out of business.”
“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 industry. As such, we urge EPA to withdraw the rule,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to EPA officials.
“The proposed rule exposes hundreds of operators to a new regulatory regime with significant costs and a disregard of the ramifications on stakeholders … We are concerned the number of potential closures is likely much higher than estimated, and we believe it is irresponsible for EPA to propose regulations that will arbitrarily close plants and eliminate jobs from the rural economy,” they write.
“The EPA on January 24, 2024 published its proposed changes to the Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs) for Meat and Poultry Products (MPPs). The guidelines apply to wastewater discharged by meat and poultry processors and renderers, as defined in a Clean Water Act program,” the senators reveal in a statement.
“The revisions EPA has put forward consist of three options, impacting between 844 and 1,618 facilities. Currently, MPP ELG guidelines affect just 180 facilities. Per EPA, this proposed regulation could close 16 MPP facilities under Option 1, 22 under Option 2 and 53 under Option 3. MPP processors support rural jobs and are key links in the national food supply chain.,” they add.
“The 60-day comment period on the rule closes March 25th. EPA has announced it does not plan to issue an extension. Such a tight window does not give stakeholders adequate time to submit meaningful feedback,” the senators note.
In addition to Senators Fischer and Ernst, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).
In the House, the letter was led by U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (R-Kan.). In addition to Representative Mann, the letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R- Pa.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Ron Estes (R-Kan.), James Baird (R-Ind.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Mike Flood (R-Neb.), and Mark Alford (R-Mo.).
The lawmakers are backed in their effort by the American Association of Meat Processors, the North American Renderers Association and the North American Meat Institute.
Well, that’s ONE way to get us to stop eating meat. Shut down the processing plants.
It may be 40 years in the past, but 1984 is getting closer and closer…
This ought to be another excellent 10th amendment situation. The states have their own ‘epa’ departments and the constitution doesn’t get the feddies any epa powers. This is something the states need to call their own.
Great reset.
Rural population is going to be slave to the urban elites. That is what the think. That is what they hope and want. Be prepared to block and isolate the urban / progressive city centers. No trucks - fuel food supplies and the urban rats will eat all the progressives in 10 days. It won’t take long to prove it. The military would have to rescue the urban elites quickly or they get used for entertainment then eaten.
This is the first time since those purge movies came out when I am beginning to think it’s a good idea.
The alphabet orgs rule America. Unelected and power driven to remove all of our freedoms.
Trump, shut em down
On day 61 the Antifa fires will start up again.
Dittos and people that can afford an endless stream of lawyers.
“ Rural population is going to be slave to the urban elites”
That’s what all this blather about rural Christian Nationalists is all about.
Did anyone else notice that this new push started after the most recent “Fargo” series. Then Meathead comes out with his loser documentary.
Deep State hates competition.
It is Time, to Restore the Constitution!
It is Time to DownSize DC!
Restore the Constitution!Size DC!
My small farm is required by state law to use federally licensed faculties to process our chicken, pork, and lamb. We are a very small-time operation and use these smaller local meat processing places exclusively
There is already a desperate shortage of these places, and getting a processing time scheduled can be difficult in the extreme. I’ve had to use places three hours away at times.
This kind of BS is designed to put the small farmer out of business, and take away the customers choice to get healthy natural foods from their local farmer or farmers market, and force them into the big grocery stores with the medicated, hormone riddled, GMO fed, processed factory meat.
Products from you local small farmer are far superior in every way. They taste better, and their much better for you.
If this shuts down even one processing facility in our area, it will push many small farmers like me out of business.
I can not express how much I hate these government bureaucrats and their fellow ideological travelers.
http://www.little-valley-farm.com/#/
I forwarded the link to this article and one wrote back that this is a parody website. Thoughts anyone???
Grassley, Colleagues Fight Hasty Proposal That Could Result In Widespread Closure Of Smaller Meat Packing Plants..
The Biden admin is seeking to advance a heavy-handed rule without due insight from the Americans it will hit hardest..
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdraw its new meat and poultry wastewater proposal, which stands to hamper rural economies and drive small- and mid-sized processing facilities out of business.
US Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ask the agency to withdraw its proposed rule for wastewater discharged by meat and poultry processors.
The letter, supported by nine other Republican senators and 17 Republican representatives, was directed to EPA Administrator Michael Regan on March 4.
https://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/29886-congress-urges-epa-to-withdraw-proposed-wastewater-rule
Thanks.
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