Starting next year, the new EPA rules governing wastewater limits for meat and poultry processors go into effect. That means there will be more limited amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus released into the environment by the meat processing plants.
The new rules for August 2025 mean tougher regulations for meat processors, but many companies could go out of business due to the change in requirements.
The EPA originally passed the new regulations after 13 environmental organizations filed lawsuits and argued water pollution control standards needed to be updated for the meat processing industry under the Clean Water Act.
Meat prices have surged in recent years since the pandemic due to supply chain issues and inflation, and it's likely the prices could go even higher as the meat processing plants adapt to the new rules.
The EPA said through the new rules, the facilities will lower their wastewater by around 100 million pounds per year.
The regulations apply to processing plants that discharge wastewater into bodies of water as well as through water treatment plants.
The new rules also stipulated pretreatment standards for oil and grease for the first time, as well as for total suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand.
At least 16 facilities are anticipated to close due to the new standards. At the minimum, 17,000 jobs would be lost, but the EPA said up to 53 plants could close.
