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USDA withdraws organic livestock and poultry practices rule

The USDA’s decision to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule is drawing mixed reactions from the ag community.

The USDA says the rule, that would have amended requirements and clarified animal welfare practices for production, handling, and transportation, exceeds its authority beyond the intent of The Organic Foods Production Act.

Colin Woodall with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the group is pleased with the decision to withdraw the rule that he says would have vilified conventional agriculture.

“We’ve been able to preserve our ability to show what we do each and every day to look after the welfare of our animals and not have it tied to some marketing program and that’s all the organic program is,” he says. “It’s simply a marketing program that has nothing to do with animal welfare, it wasn’t intended to, and it shouldn’t.”

Audio: Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall also says the rule is misguided, and it would have forced many farmers and ranchers out of the organic sector.

Other groups say the withdrawal goes against overwhelming support by the organic industry.

Laura Batcha is CEO of the Organic Trade Association.

“The USDA is not listening to the stakeholders who participate in the organic marketplace ,” she says. “These are organic farmers, ranchers, handlers, food makers, consumers who are saying they all agree on the rule  and it needs to move forward.”

Audio: Laura Batcha, Organic Trade Association 

She tells Brownfield the association will amend its complaint against the USDA to challenge the latest decision.

National Farmers Union also disagrees with the decision, saying it puts producers who already adhere to the standards at a disadvantage and will confuse consumers about the meaning of the organic label.

The withdrawal becomes effective May 13.