AAMP provides comments on plant size categories

The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) recently submitted its comments regarding the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) review of the definitions of establishment sizes for meat facilities.

In its response, AAMP advocated changes to the definitions, including a volume-based system and adjustments to the existing tiers for businesses.

“There is a huge difference between a plant with 11 employees and a plant with 499 employees, though both are defined as a ‘small plant’ under the current definition,” the association said in its comments. “In recent years, the gap between them has become even more apparent when other agencies have used this definition when setting parameters for applying for federal grants or reducing FSIS overtime charges.”

Current FSIS definitions include very small establishments with fewer than 10 employees or annual sales under $2.5 million. Small establishments are businesses with 10-499 employees, and large establishments are businesses with 500 or more employees.

During its remarks, AAMP suggested expanding the very small category to include more plants and changing the size of the small category. The association also stated a medium-sized category should be added to create four categories, rather than the existing three.

Another part of their advocacy was bringing more clarification of the definition and production volume as a larger part of categorizing the establishments, rather than employees.

AAMP pointed out other factors FSIS should consider, including seasonal operations and the effect existing retail stores have on volume numbers for many smaller establishments.