Public Floods USDA With Comments Against Faster Line Speeds
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union and the public submitted more than 42,000 comments opposing proposed rule changes for meat plants.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Apr 21, 2026
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture received more than 42,000 public comments opposing proposed rules to increase line speeds in meatpacking facilities.
The 60-day public comment period, which ended yesterday, drew 22,131 comments against the poultry rule and 20,852 against the pork rule. The proposal seeks to raise line speed limits for poultry from 140 birds per minute to 175 for chicken and from 55 to 60 for turkey. The rule would also remove line speed limits entirely for pork processing.
Union officials stated the proposed increases prioritize production volumes over worker safety and food quality. According to the UFCW, the changes contradict previous agency studies regarding the impact of heightened speeds on poultry and swine processing.
The union has advocated for alternative safety measures to mitigate risks, including increased staffing levels, improved injury reporting and job modifications designed to reduce ergonomic stressors.
Data from the comment period showed the highest levels of engagement in Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and California. In addition to the USDA filings, constituents sent more than 36,000 letters to 192 Republican members of Congress urging the rescission of the proposed rules.
The USDA previously extended a waiver program allowing certain plants to operate at faster rates, a move that followed several legal challenges regarding workplace safety standards in the food processing industry.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.