What: On September 3, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew a proposed rule revising Clean Water Act effluent limitations guidelines for meat and poultry products (MPP) producers.
Why: The proposed rule would have applied to wastewater discharges from MPP facilities. Transport of discharges to and through municipal sewage treatment plants, also known as Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), would also be regulated.
The small entities subjected to the proposed rule were meat and poultry products facilities engaging in meat and/or poultry slaughter, further processing, and/or rendering. While EPA certified that none of the options in the proposed rule will have a significant impact on a substantial number of these small businesses, the agency also convened a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel in 2023.
The Office of Advocacy commented on the proposed rule in March of 2024, noting that it duplicated efforts already undertaken by POTWs and could be a barrier to small businesses looking to participate in government efforts to expand the domestic meat processing industry.
Action: The withdrawal is effective September 3, 2025.
2023 SBAR PANEL:
Meat and Poultry Products Effluent Limitations Guidelines Rulemaking Revisions
COMMENT LETTER:
WITHDRAWAL NOTICE:
CONTACT: Nick Goldstein
EMAIL: nick.goldstein@sba.gov
Is your small business or entity being impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.