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USDA finalizes origin of livestock rule for organic dairies

The USDA has released its final Origin of Livestock rule for organic dairy that sets standards for animals transitioning to organic and their management.

Under Secretary Jennifer Lester Moffitt says, “This rule will give organic producers more opportunities to compete fairly in the market by establishing clear standards that ensure more consistent certification and production practices.”

Organic Trade Association CEO Laura Batcha says the rule was 19 years in the making.

“As these standards have languished at USDA, it’s driven private certification into the market and required producers and handlers to seek additional certification,” she says.

She says there are nearly two dozen additional organic rules in USDA’s pipeline that have yet to be updated. 

Both spoke on the updates during Tuesday’s House Ag Subcommittee hearing on the farm bill.

The Origin of Livestock Rule for dairy allows organic farms to purchase or raise organic animals or transition nonorganic animals into production once, but not source transitioned animals from another operation.