In the constituent update released on March 21, 2025, the USDA announced some reforms that would be taking place in the meat processing industry in the hopes of “[remaining] competitive on a global scale without being held back by unnecessary bureaucracy”. Part of those reforms include the following changes:

• FSIS extending waivers to allow pork and poultry facilities to operate at higher line speeds
• Plants no longer have to submit “redundant” safety data for workers at the plants

The primary rationale for the changes are as follows: “extensive research has confirmed no direct link between processing speeds and workplace injuries”. This comes just after the FSIS completed a couple of studies (one of which is “Poultry Processing  Line Speed Evaluation  Study (PULSE)”) indicating that workers aiding in pork and poultry processing are far more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). In the strict sense, this is not the result of an injury but work conditions that result in disabilities and injuries. Sufferers of MSD can exhibit the following symptoms: fatigue, loss of strength, numbness, stiffness, burning sensations in afflicted areas, redness, swelling, and chronic pain. Treatment can be a very involved process, sometimes involving physical/occupational therapy, medications, surgery, a combination of those, and more.

Given the apparent contradiction in information, the motivation is almost certainly profit increase at the expense of workers. These reforms will be implemented, according to Secretary Rollins, as soon as possible. For more information, consult the following link: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/constituent-update-march-21-2025