Poultry, meat groups criticize EPA proposal

Poultry and meat trade groups submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The groups sharply criticized EPA’s proposed changes, citing inadequate analysis of the impact on agricultural commodity prices.

National Turkey Federation (NTF), National Chicken Council, American Meat Institute and FarmEcon noted the proposed regulations have not considered the variability of the grain crop or other biomass production risks. The groups believe this could have serious consequences on food and fuel production costs in years of reduced crop production, and further argue that an increased reliance on biofuels would likely increase fuel supply instability.

In their comments, the groups link fuel production and cost of animal feed with food prices.

“The proposed RFS program poses severe consequences for the U.S. food supply, ” said Joel Brandenberger, NTF’s president.

According to FarmEcon, if the RFS is increased to 20 billion gallons of grain-based ethanol per year, consumers could see almost a 5% increase in average food costs.