WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), member of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the American Protein Processing Modernization Act, which would provide a permanent framework to ensure pork and poultry processing facilities are able to maintain full operational capacity.

The American Protein Processing Modernization Act:

• Follows the science of a time-tested pilot program with a proven record of worker safety, ensuring that processors can operate at full capacity beyond arbitrary government deadlines;
  
  
• Requires USDA to publish food safety criteria for operating at increased line speeds, ensuring that processors who meet the criteria can continue operating without fear of an arbitrary slowdown;
  
  
• Brings U.S. meat and poultry processing closer to global competitiveness;
  
  
• Protects farmers’ livelihoods by reducing the potential for arbitrary reductions in processing capacity, which can result in lost contracts, increased time between plant deliveries, or a reduction in animal units.

“Time and time again, our pork and poultry processors have proven that increased line speeds are safe, effective, and better for consumers,” said Rep. Finstad. “I’m introducing the American Protein Processing Modernization Act to establish a permanent framework that will allow our pork and poultry processors to run at full operational capacity, giving American families, farmers, and food processors greater certainty in our food supply chain.”

“The nation’s producers, processors, and consumers deserve certainty, and the Biden Administration’s actions on pork and poultry processing line speeds provided anything but. Thankfully, it’s a new day at USDA under the leadership of Secretary Rollins. I commend Rep. Finstad for spearheading this legislation—steeped in science, technology, and innovation—that would provide a permanent solution to protect and enhance our nation’s food supply and look forward to working with USDA to get it done.” – Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture

The American Protein Processing Modernization Act is endorsed by the Meat Institute, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), and Minnesota Pork Producers Association.

"Ensuring adequate harvest capacity is essential for America’s pig farmers to continue delivering safe, high-quality pork to breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates across America. We’re grateful for Congressman Finstad’s support in helping meat processing facilities run efficiently and safely." – Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council

“The ability for our packers and processors to continue harvesting healthy, safe pork products while ensuring certainty for the consumer and farmers alike is paramount. Thank you to Rep. Finstad for working on behalf of pork processors and pig farmers.” – Todd Selvik, President of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association 

Background:

In 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota struck down USDA’s rule eliminating line speed limits, forcing plants to return to capped speeds of 1,106 head per hour. USDA later launched time-limited trials (TLT) allowing a small number of plants to operate at increased speeds while gathering worker safety data.

Rep. Finstad has led several letters to USDA, successfully securing extensions of the TLT and avoiding a harmful slowdown in American processing capacity.

In March 2025, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins extended the existing line speed waivers for certain swine and poultry facilities, while FSIS begins a rulemaking to finalize faster maximum line speeds, though no new waivers will be issued, leaving processors without long-term certainty.