USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a notice on Wednesday for an extension of the comment period to the Federal Register on the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Proposed Rule. The extension will allow for an additional 30 days to file comments up to July 13th.
AMS chose to extend the comment period in response to multiple requests from stakeholders citing the complexity and importance of the AMS proposal. The National Chicken Council was among those who requested an extension in order to fully consider the proposed rule and formulate meaningful comments. A copy of the letter requesting an extension on behalf of the poultry industries is available here.
The Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Proposed Rule was initially published on April 13th to solicit comments from the public on both general and specific topics related to organic livestock and poultry production. The proposed rule would amend the existing National Organic Program requirements for livestock and poultry production to align with recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board. The amendments would add more detailed requirements for poultry and livestock living conditions, handling and transportation, and health-care practices.
A link to the full proposed rule, as well as instructions on how to submit comments on the rule, is available here.
