USDA this week announced a 30-day extension to the comment period for the Proposed Rule on Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS).
The rule, first announced on August 5, 2022, would change USDA organic regulations including requirements for organic poultry and livestock living conditions, care, transport, and slaughter.
Specifically, the rule would “specify which physical alteration procedures are prohibited or restricted for use on organic livestock; set separate standards for mammalian and avian livestock living conditions to … reflect the needs and behaviors of the different species, as well as related consumer expectations; [would include] proposed avian livestock living standards [that] would set maximum indoor and outdoor stocking densities to ensure the birds have sufficient space to engage in natural behaviors; would add new requirements on the transport of organic livestock to sale or slaughter; and would add a new section to clarify how organic slaughter facility practices and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations work together to support animal welfare.”
The rule’s initial comment period ends on October 11, 2022, but is now set to close on November 10, 2022.
USDA’s official announcement of the extension can be viewed here.
