ELIZABETHTOWN, PA. — The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) launched an action campaign to lead its members to contact their congressional representatives about proposed wastewater regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The association said the proposed regulations could be a threat to the meat industry and the entire US food supply chain.

The EPA is looking to update water pollution rules for meat processors for the first time in nearly 20 years. The move comes as part of a proposed consent decree to settle litigation against the agency, which was driven by environmental groups last year. The agreement involves proposed new standards by the end of 2023 and finalized regulations by 2025.

The EPA is expected to release the changes in December, and a comment period will immediately follow. AAMP said it cannot wait to take action until that time.

“Under the proposed regulations, small processors would have to spend potentially millions of dollars to make their facilities compliant, plus hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to remain compliant,” said AAMP in a Facebook post. “If this happens, many of our small meat processors across the country will be forced to close.”

In the meat association’s campaign, it reached out to members via email, asking them to voice opposition against the EPA’s proposal.

When recipients click on the “Take Action” button in their email, they will be taken to the Voter Voice website, where they can contact their representatives via email, X (formerly Twitter), or phone.

On its campaign page, AAMP wrote that the proposed regulations would undo the work of USDA grants issued to strengthen small meat and poultry processors.

“It would leave the US meat supply in the hands of the largest meat-processing corporations, and consumers would pay the price with fewer choices and higher prices,” AAMP said. “Small to mid-sized meat and poultry processors have a vital role in the industry and the economy. This was proven during the COVID pandemic, when they remained open and ensured food was available to families in their communities. We must save these facilities.”