The Trump administration’s 60-day freeze on new federal regulations snagged the animal-welfare rule for organic farmers that was issued two days before the end of the Obama era. Some 334 organic livestock producers wrote Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to ask that the rule become effective on May 19, the end of the 60-day review period. Groups representing conventional agriculture have urged USDA to kill the organic rule.
“We believe that the rule strikes the right balance between meeting consumer expectations and the reality of commercial-scale food production,” said the letter. “If consumers lose confidence in the organic seal, it will have catastrophic impacts throughout the industry.” Organic agriculture is the fastest-growing segment of the farm economy. Organic food is 5 percent of grocery sales.
When it issued the rule on Jan. 18, USDA said it would set a consistent standard on production of organic livestock and treatment of the food animals. Farmers would be required to provide outdoor access to their animals during all but the hottest or coldest days. The rule would effectively end the practice of keeping egg-laying hens in small “battery” cages” and it would require group housing for swine.
The Republican chairmen of the Senate and House Agriculture committees say the rule amounts to over-regulation.