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babylonsister

(171,070 posts)
Mon Dec 18, 2017, 08:17 PM Dec 2017

USDA 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 agency’s statutory authority under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to issue animal welfare regulations. The agency called the rules, which govern an animal’s 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.

more...

http://thehill.com/regulation/365432-usda-withdraws-welfare-rules-for-animals-certified-organic
14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
USDA withdraws welfare rules for animals certified 'organic' (Original Post) babylonsister Dec 2017 OP
fuck these people and the boxed beakless chicken they rode in on. Voltaire2 Dec 2017 #1
Okay matt819 Dec 2017 #2
Going after non human females now. nt irisblue Dec 2017 #3
This is good for the American people how?? Angry Dragon Dec 2017 #4
Meat certified as being laden with hormones and antibiotics is what Americans demand!? Fred Sanders Dec 2017 #5
A large consumer group wants to but those products, opening a procon Dec 2017 #6
Whistleblowers will have to gain access Ilsa Dec 2017 #7
another reason handmade34 Dec 2017 #8
I'm on that path crazycatlady Dec 2017 #10
I hear you! LenaBaby61 Dec 2017 #13
BigAg wins again. Growth of the Organic Industry. Organic Spam coming soon Freethinker65 Dec 2017 #9
Disgusting!! womanofthehills Dec 2017 #11
I find great joy handmade34 Dec 2017 #14
Yet another attempt to erase the Obama legacy Docreed2003 Dec 2017 #12

procon

(15,805 posts)
6. A large consumer group wants to but those products, opening a
Mon Dec 18, 2017, 08:32 PM
Dec 2017

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)
7. Whistleblowers will have to gain access
Mon Dec 18, 2017, 08:36 PM
Dec 2017

and publish names of facilities that fail to meet previous standards.

crazycatlady

(4,492 posts)
10. I'm on that path
Mon Dec 18, 2017, 08:50 PM
Dec 2017

(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)
13. I hear you!
Mon Dec 18, 2017, 09:56 PM
Dec 2017

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

womanofthehills

(8,718 posts)
11. Disgusting!!
Mon Dec 18, 2017, 08:54 PM
Dec 2017

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)
14. I find great joy
Tue Dec 19, 2017, 07:43 AM
Dec 2017

in watching my chickens out and about

no end of the disgust I have for this administration

Docreed2003

(16,862 posts)
12. Yet another attempt to erase the Obama legacy
Mon Dec 18, 2017, 09:01 PM
Dec 2017

As if undoing every Obama accomplishment could erase the man from our collective memories...Trump and his “administration” are sick, dangerous fucks...

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