USDA Withdraws Organic Livestock and Poultry Rule

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule withdrawing the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule, leaving existing organic regulations in effect. The USDA announcement noted that withdrawal was opposed by “consumers, organic farmers, organic handlers, organizations representing animal welfare, environmental, or farming interests, trade associations, certifying agents and inspectors, and retailers.”

In January 2018, a group that included the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Humane Society of the United States, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Whole Foods Market published a full-page ad in The Washington Post expressing their opposition to the withdrawal of the rule.