Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 12/18/17


Today USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service will published a proposed rule in the Federal Register requesting public comments on its intent to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Proposed (OLPP) final rule published in January 2017, according to a notice on the agency's website.

"USDA believes the OLPP final rule exceeded USDA’s statutory authority beyond the intent of the Organic Foods Production Act," the statement said.

If this withdrawal is finalized, the agency would drop controversial provisions that would have added certain production, handling and transportation practices for organic poultry and livestock to the definition of "Organic" in USDA's certified program.
There were several delays in the rule's implementation, but most recently, it was scheduled to become effective on May 14, 2018. Deadline for comments is January 18, 2018.

Reaction
Reaction from industry groups and activists was immediate.

"The Obama-era regulation ... would have incorporated into the National Organic Program welfare standards that were not based on science and that were outside the scope of the Organic Food Production Act of 1990," said a statement from the National Pork Producers Council.

"We'd like to thank Sec. Perdue and the Trump administration for listening to our concerns with the rule and recognizing the serious challenges it would have presented our producers," said NPPC President Ken Maschhoff, in a release.

Similarly, John Glisson, vice president of research for USPOULTRY, said on the withdrawal, "USPOULTRY supports the withdrawal of the proposed rule. Certain provisions of the rule required birds to have access to uncovered outside areas which puts poultry at serious risk to exposure to avian influenza that is carried by wild birds."

On the other hand, Matt Bershadker, president and CEO for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said, "With this action, the USDA is abandoning the most significant federal standard governing animal welfare on farms ever written ... . The agency is shirking its statutory responsibility to ensure organic farm conditions meet the spirit of the Organic program and match consumer expectations of strong animal welfare consideration.”

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