News

Organic livestock rule’s comment period extended

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has announced a 30-day extension of the comment period on its proposed rule dealing with organic livestock production practices.

Agriculture committee leaders in the House and Senate had requested a 90-day extension. Interested parties now have until July 13th to comment.

The proposal has received some pushback, particularly from the poultry sector. Among other things, it calls for egg-laying hens to have year-round access to the outdoors.  Some of the industry’s larger organic egg producers say the rule would require significant modifications to their facilities and would also increase the hens’ exposure to disease.

Link to earlier article on egg industry’s concerns