The United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is delaying the effective date of the organic rule published on Jan. 19, 2017, for an additional six months to Nov. 14, 2017, to allow time for further consideration by USDA. The effective date for this rule was initially March 20, 2017, and was subsequently delayed to May 19, 2017, by a document published in the Federal Register on Feb. 9, 2017.

The final rule amends the organic livestock and poultry production requirements by adding new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living conditions; and expands and clarifies existing requirements covering livestock care and production practices and mammalian living conditions.

Comments will again be accepted, with a June 9, 2017, deadline. The public is asked to comment on the actions USDA should take regarding the final rule.

Comments may be submitted at regulations.gov or by mail to:

Paul Lewis Ph.D., Director
Standards Division, National Organic Program
USDA-AMS-NOP
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2642-So., Ag Stop 0268
Washington, DC 20250-0268.

All submissions received must include the docket number AMS-NOP-17-0031; NOP-15-06A, and/or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 0581-AD74 for this rulemaking. Your comments should clearly indicate whether or not you support an option presented in this proposed rule. You should clearly indicate the reason(s) for the stated position. All comments received and any relevant background documents will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov.

Related:Organic livestock standards proposed

For access to the document and to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov.

Source: USDA AMS