NOP Addresses Synthetic Methionine Use in Organic Poultry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has
issued a proposed rule that would regulate the use of synthetic methionine
in organic poultry production after a current interim final rule expires on
October 1, 2012.

According to a February 6, 2012, Federal Register notice, the rule would amend
the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) to
permit the following maximum levels of synthetic methionine per ton of feed:
(i) two pounds for laying and broiler chickens; and (ii) three pounds for turkey
and all other poultry. NOP has requested public comments on the proposed
rule by April 6.

The National List currently classifies methionine “as an essential amino acid
because it cannot be biologically produced by poultry and is necessary to
maintain viability.” The substance occurs naturally in feed sources that include
blood meal, fish meal, crab meal, corn gluten meal, alfalfa meal, and sunflower
seed meal, but can also be produced synthetically as “a colorless white
crystalline powder that is soluble in water.” If adopted in 2012, the amended
methionine listing would require a sunset review by the National Organic
Standards Board by 2017.