URBANDALE, Iowa – The USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service has announced it will allow six U.S. pork-processing plants in the agency’s New Swine Inspection System to operate at increased production line speeds until Nov. 30.

“The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) applauds the USDA’s decision to allow eligible pork harvest facilities to continue experimenting with ergonomics, automation, and crewing, while maintaining line speeds that have been proven able to protect food and worker safety for over two decades,” organization officials said in a March 3 statement.

“Ensuring sufficient harvest capacity is critical to allow America’s pork producers to continue to provide wholesome pork products to consumers,” the officials added.

In March 2021, a U.S. District Court in Minnesota struck down the New Swine Inspection System rule relating to production line speeds at six U.S. pork-processing plants. The ruling limited production line speeds to no more than 1,106 head per hour, starting in June 2021.

Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes said when the court’s ruling took effect on July 1, 2021, the U.S. pork industry lost 2.5 percent of its harvest capacity.

Prior to the USDA’s announcement regarding the Nov. 30 deadline, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) led a bipartisan group of 11 members of Congress in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging the USDA to immediately issue an extension of the time-limited trial for the six pork processing plants in the New Swine Inspection System.

The six pork-processing plants are: Swift Pork Co., in Beardstown, Ill.; Clemens Food Group, LLC, in Coldwater, Mich.; Quality Pork Processors in Austin, Minn.; Wholestone Farms Cooperative, Inc., in Fremont, Neb.; Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., in Madison, Neb.; and Clemens Food Group, LLC, in Hatfield, Pa.

“While an extension until Nov. 30 of this year is welcome news, we must continue to fight for a permanent solution for our pork producers,” Grassley said.

Finstad said, “The extension of the New Swine Inspection System time-limited trials is critical for pork processing facilities like Quality Pork Processors in Austin, Minn., to continue functioning at full operational capacity.

“However, the trial period over the past 12 months has clearly demonstrated that increased line speeds are safe and effective, resulting in higher processing capacity and lower consumer costs. I will continue to urge the USDA to develop a permanent solution for all pork processing facilities who want to increase their line speeds, and help reduce market pressures,” he added.

The NPPC said the USDA’s extension of the trial period will allow the agency to “assess a final report of the data collected during the time-limited trial and determine the next steps.”

“The National Pork Producers Council appreciates the extension of the trial period, and will continue working with the administration and Congress toward a permanent solution,” NPPC officials said.