US environmental regulators drop plans to tighten water pollution rules for meatpackers

US environmental regulators will not tighten rules on water pollution from meat and poultry processing plants. This means these plants will continue to operate under existing, less strict environmental standards.

For years, environmental groups pushed for stricter limits on wastewater from meat and poultry plants, arguing that current rules do not adequately protect waterways. This decision means the industry avoids significant new costs for pollution control equipment. It also means the environmental impact of these facilities will continue at current levels.