WASHINGTON (Jan. 18, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking input from small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations as it develops the Meat and Poultry Products Effluent Limitations Guidelines Rulemaking Revision, which is an essential step to reduce nutrient discharges in the nation’s waters.

EPA is assembling a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel to gather input from Small Entity Representatives (SERs). This Panel will focus on the Agency’s development of a rule that proposes to establish new or update existing industrial wastewater pollutant limits that would affect some of the approximately 7,000 meat and poultry products facilities across the U.S.

“Water is an essential resource for many industries, including meat and poultry processing,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA is committed to hearing directly from small entities that may be impacted by the rulemaking, as we work to protect communities across the country from the harmful effects of excess nutrients.”

The Panel will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and EPA. The Panel members ask a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations on behalf of their company, government, or organization to inform the Panel members about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.

EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small entities that may be subject to the rule requirements. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities, may also serve as SERs.

Nominate yourself as a SER. Self-nominations must be received by February 1, 2023.

In this rulemaking, EPA is considering potential new pretreatment standards, new or stricter limits on phosphorus and other pollutants, and may change the current subcategories or establish additional subcategories. The Agency intends to propose the rule in December 2023.

Learn about the Meat and Poultry Products Effluent Limitations Guidelines and ongoing rulemaking.