USDA proposes new standards for animals certified “organic”

The National Organic Program (NOP), a regulatory program within USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), on Thursday released a proposed rule for organic livestock and poultry practices, entitled “National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices.” The proposed rule follows requests for greater consistency and transparency in organic livestock, specifically poultry production, and is consistent with recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), according to the agency.  Current regulations for livestock and poultry in the NOP are general requirements to ensure welfare such as freedom to express natural behaviors, protection from predators and adverse weather, and preventive health care.  The requirements in the proposed rule further specify practices in four main areas: living conditions, health care, transportation, and slaughter.  Read More