This week the EPA revealed plans to nationally regulate nitrogen and other byproducts discharged from meat-processing plants into wastewater systems.

4 companies [Tyson, Cargill, JBS, and National Beef] currently control over 80% of meat packing in the United States.  This regulation would hurt small processors and give more control to the packing giants. 

@myhealthforward EPA’s new proposed legislation on meat processing discharge. What do you think? #epa #meat #beef #farmer #farming #farm #farmersmarket #ranch #ranching #rancher #steak #food #politics #democrats #america #liberal ♬ Dramatic - Sallandu

The EPA is proposing a rule that would decimate small local meat processors across the country.  This week the EPA revealed plans to nationally regulate nitrogen and other byproducts discharged from meat-processing plants into wastewater systems.  The EPA estimated that it would cost 1 meat-processing facility $2.3 million dollars to install infrastructure and equipment to remove nitrogen and phosphorous.  It would then cost the processor $402,000 dollars per year to operate and maintain the equipment.  This is extremely concerning because the regulations and infrastructure requirements would apply to entities regardless of their size.  And if you're like me, you might be wondering why the EPA would force the same regulation on small, local, and independent meat processors as it does with the big packing giants.  And here's why.  The EPA counts all entities with less than 1,000 employees as small.  This is a huge mistake because the average meat processing plant in the United States has on average 91.4 employees.  The EPA groups together operations of all sizes and in doing so, it overlooks the impact it will have on truly small operations.  As a result, small entities will have to pay over $2.3 million dollars just to stay in business.  Since most don't have anywhere near that type of capital, they'll be forced to close or take on massive loans.  As I've said countless times, 4 companies [Tyson, Cargill, JBS, and National Beef] currently control over 80% of meat packing in the United States.  This regulation would hurt small processors and give more control to the packing giants.  The industry has 4 days to add written comments to the EPA's proposed rule.  There will be one more meeting in June, and then the rule would go into effect in December of this year.  You can contact your local and state representatives to voice your opinion as well as the EPA's Office of Water.  And I want to give a big shout-out to Bobby Morrison for providing me with the timely and detailed information on this story.  Please give him a follow and take action on this.