WASHINGTON, D.C. — The effective date for changes to the organic livestock and

poultry rule has been extended again, meaning farmers do not need to finish making

required changes until Nov. 14.

 

The final rule was published on Jan. 19 and set to be implemented March 20,

but the Trump administration initially changed the implementation date to May 19.

During the extended timeline, more information was gathered.

The rule is meant to strengthen organic standards for livestock and poultry, but

many farmers have objected to the new standards. As a result of objections that the

standards – specifically for poultry – were too demanding, their implementation is delayed again until November.

Part of the ruling would require a specific amount of space indoors and outdoors for

each bird, which may require farmers to expand barns. “I applaud Secretary (Sonny) Perdue for delaying the implementation of the disastrous

rule, and I hope USDA will carefully consider its unintended consequences,” said Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

“As I’ve heard time and time again from organic livestock and poultry producers – the folks who are most affected by its implementation – this rule is bad news for farmers, ranchers and consumers.”

The Senate and the House agriculture committees conducted hearings about the issue. The leadership of both sent a letter last year requesting the public comment period be extended, and they followed up that letter with a second one requesting more information on the USDA rule.

On May 6, shortly before the rule was to go into effect, members of the Senate Agriculture Committee conducted a hearing in Michigan, where farmer Andy Snider spoke against the ruling. His farm expanded turkey production in 2012 on a new farm about 1.5 miles from the original farm. Snider Farms produces about 170,000 turkeys raised without antibiotics and a portion of those turkeys are certified organic.  The organic program has long been focused on sound organic production from an ingredients standpoint. This new rule dictating outdoor space requirements moves the goalpost in a significant way,” Snider explained.

He is concerned there could be unintended consequences that could negatively impact

producers, potentially putting some out of business. With the organic industry growing in Michigan, he is worried about how the new regulations would impact farmers.

“This rule is in direct conflict with what producers are currently doing to avoid future (highly pathogenic avian influenza) outbreaks,” he said, referring to the rule requiring poultry have outdoor access daily, the space to include vegetation or soil.

Enclosed porches would not be considered outdoor space. He asked for the rule to be delayed again and for consideration to be given to how it might impact farmers, local supply chains and consumers. 

 

“Organic consumers will see increased prices at the grocery store; family farmers will be put out of business; and animal health will be put at risk, which will decrease food safety,” Roberts said.

The final rule calls for specific handling of organic livestock and poultry to minimize stress. The National Organic Standards Board, the Organic Foods Production Act and input from the organic community and stakeholders were used when developing the final rule.

The rule can be read on the USDA website at http://bit.ly/2rYT1dY