American Protein Processing Modernization Act

The American Protein Processing Modernization Act would require the Secretary of Agriculture to set clear food-safety criteria for requests from meat and poultry establishments to operate at inspection rates higher than the current maximum. It also streamlines the process for reviewing and deciding these requests. Establishments that are already operating at higher rates could continue under certain conditions, and any approved arrangement would remain in effect only as long as the establishment meets the food-safety criteria. The bill creates a structured process for noncompliance, including notices, remediation periods, and a path to revert to standard inspection rates with timelines that consider live-animal production, contracts, and animal welfare. It also includes a deeming provision: if the Secretary does not respond within 90 days, a request is automatically approved. Overall, the measure aims to formalize and accelerate the review of higher-rate inspections while tying approvals to concrete safety criteria and ongoing oversight.