Meat and Poultry Products Effluent Guidelines
The EPA initially promulgated the Meat and Poultry Products (MPP) Effluent Guidelines and Standards in 1974, and amended the regulation in 2004. The regulation (40 CFR Part 432) covers wastewater directly dischargedA point source that discharges pollutants to waters of the United States, such as streams, lakes, or oceans. by slaughterhouses, further processors, independent renderers and poultry processors. The requirements are incorporated into NPDES permits.
On this page:
- 2024 Proposed Rule
- Existing Regulations - Facilities Covered
- Rulemaking History
- Additional Information
2024 Proposed Rule
The EPA is proposing an amendment to the regulation that would establish more stringent effluent limitations for nitrogen and phosphorus, add E. coli bacteria limitations for direct dischargers, and extend coverage to include indirect dischargers.
Existing Regulations - Facilities Covered
Direct Dischargers—Existing and New Sources
- All meat first processors (slaughterhouses)
- Meat further processors that generate more than 6,000 pounds per day of finished products (examples: bacon or sausage)
- Independent renderers of meat and poultry products that use more than 10 million pounds per year of raw material
- Poultry first processors (slaughterhouses) that slaughter more than 100 million pounds per year
- Poultry further processors that generate more than 7 million pounds per year of finished products (examples: ready-to-cook chicken cutlets or ground turkey)
Direct Dischargers—New Sources
- All poultry first processors
- All poultry further processors
Rulemaking History
2004 Rule
- Final Rule - Federal Register notice (September 8, 2004)
- Proposed Rule - Federal Register notice (February 25, 2002)
Additional Information
For additional information regarding the Meat and Poultry Products Effluent Guidelines, please contact Steve Whitlock (whitlock.steve@epa.gov) or 202-566-1541.