The American Protein Processing Modernization Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish and publish food safety criteria for meat and poultry processing plants that want to operate at faster inspection rates than currently allowed under federal law. Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the USDA must begin reviewing requests from plants to operate at these higher speeds, and the department has 90 days to approve or deny each request—with requests automatically approved if the USDA fails to respond within that timeframe. Plants that meet the safety criteria can continue operating at faster rates indefinitely, but the USDA can revoke this permission if a facility fails to maintain safety standards, though it must provide written notice and allow 180 days for correction before revoking approval. The bill applies to federally inspected meat and poultry processing facilities and includes provisions to minimize disruption to animal producers, supply contracts, and animal welfare when inspection rates are adjusted downward.
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