According to a report by Reuters, the USDA is evaluating restoration of line speeds above 1,106 head per hour as previously allowed under the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS). Faster line speeds were introduced in 2019, but were disallowed by a U.S. district court in Minnesota as the result of a lawsuit brought by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union on a procedural issue.
The court ruling is currently under challenge by three packers. As of early October 70 members of Congress have requested the USDA and the Department of Justice to restore line speeds in accordance with the NSIS.