In a recent announcement, President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Meat Institute has expressed support for Zeldin’s nomination, hopeful for his stance on reducing what it considers burdensome environmental regulations that impact the meat and poultry industry.
A spokesperson from the Meat Institute shared with Meatingplace that the industry looks forward to collaborating with Zeldin, specifically on the EPA’s proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines for Meat and Poultry facilities. The Meat Institute argues that these guidelines could have severe economic implications, potentially costing the industry more than $1 billion to implement and resulting in the loss of approximately 100,000 jobs.
Zeldin, a former representative for Suffolk County, New York, confirmed the nomination on social media and discussed his plans to drive Trump’s deregulatory agenda on Fox News. He emphasized a focus on reducing regulatory pressures that he claims hinder business operations while maintaining commitments to clean air, water, and environmental conservation. Zeldin’s confirmation is pending Senate approval, and his approach is expected to significantly impact the agricultural and meat production sectors.
As regulatory policy shifts under Zeldin’s leadership, Swine Web will monitor and report developments that directly affect pork producers and related industries. Stay tuned to Swine Web for updates on policies impacting environmental standards and industry operations.
