Source:  Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 11/9/10

The American Meat Institute, National Meat Association, National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council and the National Pork Producers Council are among nine organizations that filed suit in federal court to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to allow gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) for some vehicles.

In a release announcing the lawsuit, filed in U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the plaintiffs say they object to the EPA’s decision on the grounds that granting a “partial waiver” of the Clean Air Act allowing E15 to be used only in cars built after model year 2006 is not within the agency’s legal authority. The petitioners argue that under the Clean Air Act the EPA administrator may only grant a waiver for a new fuel additive if it “will not cause or contribute to a failure of any emission control device or system.”

“For those consumers worried about climbing food prices, this decision will increase the amount of corn being diverted to our gas tanks and away from meat and poultry production. It’s unfortunate that EPA acted hastily and approved the use of E15, and now the American consumer will pay for it at the grocery store,” American Meat Institute President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle said in the release.

National Meat Association CEO Barry Carpenter said: “National Meat Association is joining this petition because EPA has overstepped its legal authority and taken action contrary to the interests of consumers and food producers.  NMA believes the petition is necessary to defend against the cost increases and food insecurity that will result from EPA's action."

National Turkey Federation President Joel Brandenberger contends the “EPA completely disregarded the legitimate scientific concerns surrounding E15,” and National Chicken Council Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Bill Roenigk notes that “Any unnecessary and arbitrary action by the government that would exacerbate the situation for traditional corn users is very questionable and an unwise move at this time.”

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