The American Federation of Government Employees is calling for public review and comment on a U.S Department of Agriculture plan to overhaul the poultry inspection system before the rule takes effect.

USDA submitted a revised version of the rule seeking final approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on July 10, which reportedly contains changes to the original proposed rule that was strongly criticized by AFGE and other labor and consumer groups. “The USDA’s original plan has been roundly criticized as a blatant attempt to cut costs without regard to the serious ramifications on the health and safety of consumers and plant workers,” AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said. “The public has a right to see what changes USDA has made to its cost-cutting plan and be able to respond to the revised plan before any action is taken.”

AFGE sent a letter last week to USDA and OMB calling on the agencies to publish the revised version of the proposed rule, open it up for a 120-day public comment period, and hold public meetings on the revised proposed rule.