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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUSDA withdraws welfare rules for animals certified 'organic'
http://thehill.com/regulation/365432-usda-withdraws-welfare-rules-for-animals-certified-organic
USDA withdraws welfare rules for animals certified 'organic'
By Lydia Wheeler - 12/18/17 12:27 PM EST
The Trump administration is rolling back Obama-era rules for how animals should be treated if their meat is going to be sold as certified organic.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its plan to withdraw the final rules, which were originally set to take effect on March 20 after having been delayed three times.
USDA said the rules exceed the agencys statutory authority under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to issue animal welfare regulations. The agency called the rules, which govern an animals access to outdoor space, transportation and slaughter, among other things, broadly prescriptive.
Under the rules, producers and handlers participating in the National Organic Program stipulate that poultry must be housed in spaces that are big enough for the birds to move freely, stretch their wings, stand normally and engage in natural behaviors.
Livestock, meanwhile, must be provided access to an outdoor space year-round and be kept in indoor pens that are sufficiently large, solidly built and comfortable so that the animals are kept clean, dry and free of lesions.
USDA said it's concerned the rules will stunt innovation and growth of the organic industry, which reached $47 billion in sales in 2016, according to figures from the Organic Trade Association.
The Center for Food Safety slammed the USDA for walking back needed clarity on organic animal care.
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http://thehill.com/regulation/365432-usda-withdraws-welfare-rules-for-animals-certified-organic
Voltaire2
(13,059 posts)they are fucking monsters.
matt819
(10,749 posts)I will stop buying major brands labeled as organic and buy eggs only from local farmers.
irisblue
(32,980 posts)Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)procon
(15,805 posts)very profit niche market for sellers who can meets the high standards buyers demand. Lowering the standard to allow somewhat modified factory farms to compete with these labor intensive, high value farms, and presumably an attempt to divert business away, is not what these consumers are looking for.
Regulations represent a unified standard of practice to ensure consumers knew what they were buying regardless of brands or location. Removing the standards will not help consumers or those specialty producers, but it will funnel more money into greedy corporate farms that donate to Republicans.
Ilsa
(61,695 posts)and publish names of facilities that fail to meet previous standards.
handmade34
(22,756 posts)to become Vegetarian
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)(Not vegan though).
I rarely eat meat. I had chicken parm at an Italian restaurant the other night and spent the better part of the last two days dealing with the issues that it caused my body. That might be my last carnivore meal.
LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)I became a Vegan in the 1980's. BEST decision I've made EVER in my life. I've never looked back
Sad and ridiculous thing for my meat/dairy eating buddies though
Got Damn, this pig of an installed, treasonous, useful president and his GOP minions are destroying this country
Freethinker65
(10,023 posts)womanofthehills
(8,718 posts)They even want to mistreat chickens. It never ends!!
I have 13 chickens and they love to roll over in the dirt, walk in puddles, find insects, scratch the soil, jump up in the trees...............
handmade34
(22,756 posts)in watching my chickens out and about
no end of the disgust I have for this administration
Docreed2003
(16,862 posts)As if undoing every Obama accomplishment could erase the man from our collective memories...Trump and his administration are sick, dangerous fucks...