Ames, Iowa — An Iowa State University study finds a recent federal court decision forcing the line speeds at meat processing plants to slow down could result in a two-and-a-half percent loss in pork packing capacity nationwide.
ISU economist Dermot Hayes says without any changes, the ruling will lead to a cut of more than 80-million dollars in income for small pork producers.
Hayes says the new regulations go into effect July 1st, but plants won’t start reaching capacity until September, October or November — which is when the forced slowdowns will hit.
Hayes says if the agency plans to appeal the court’s decision, it’ll need to act quickly.
The National Pork Producers Council is urging the USDA to appeal the decision. NPPC president Jen Sorenson says the lives of many hog farmers will be upended if the ruling takes effect.
