American Protein Processing Modernization Act
Sponsored By: Representative Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create time-bound approval rules for meat and poultry establishments to operate at alternate inspection rates. It would require the Agriculture Secretary to publish evaluation criteria and to approve or deny each request within 90 days, with no-response treated as approval.
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- Establishments: Would let facilities already operating at alternate rates continue while their requests are reviewed, and would deem requests approved if USDA misses the 90-day response window. Approved status would remain so long as the facility meets published food safety criteria.
- Compliance and revocation: The Secretary must send written notice if a facility fails to meet the criteria or continuation requirements. After 180 days the Secretary may permit fixes or revoke the alternate-rate authority and set a timeline to return to standard post-mortem inspection rates.
- Supply chain and producers: Revocation decisions must consider effects on live animal production, sourcing, contractual obligations, and animal welfare, and require consultation with the establishment to minimize harms.
- Agency scope and definitions: The bill defines "alternate inspection rates" and states that nothing in the section creates liability or responsibility for the Department of Agriculture or the Food Safety and Inspection Service regarding worker safety or environmental effects.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster OKs for higher meat and poultry inspection rates
USDA would publish food-safety criteria within 90 days. Meat and poultry plants could ask to run at alternate inspection rates (above the standard maximum). USDA would decide each request within 90 days; no response would mean approval. Plants already running faster at enactment could keep operating if they keep effective process control, until USDA acts. Approved plants could keep higher rates as long as they meet the criteria. If a plant falls short, USDA would send written notice and give 180 days to fix it. After 180 days, USDA could give more time or revoke, and must set a timeline to return to standard rates after consulting to limit harm to contracts, producers, and animal welfare. Plants could reapply later if they again meet the criteria.
USDA not liable for worker safety
This bill would say USDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service are not responsible for worker safety tied to alternate inspection rates. It would also cover environmental effects linked to those rates. It would not create new rights to sue and only guides how this section is read.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
MN • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]
NE • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Feenstra
IA • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]
MN • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]
NE • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]
GA • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
IN • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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