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Farm groups pushing for final organic livestock rule
The Organic Farmers Association is pressing Congress to make sure the USDA’s National Organic Program complies with the law and the agency finalizes the Organic Livestock rule.
The 2020 fiscal year ag appropriations bill included language that the National Organic Program issue a final Origin of Livestock rule within 180 days from being enacted, but the June 17th deadline has passed without action. The provision would specify how long an animal must be under organic management before its milk can be deemed organic.
Director of the Association Kate Mendenhall says the rule will help level the playing field for organic dairies and provide clearer standards.
Seventy organic farm organizations have written to members of Congress to protect the organic label and end loopholes they say include cycling animals in and out of organic production.