National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards: Living Conditions, Transport, and Slaughter
Summary
This proposed rule would establish specific animal welfare standards for organic livestock and poultry under the USDA National Organic Program. It specifies minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements, enrichment standards, maximum transport durations, and requirements for humane handling during slaughter, addressing a longstanding gap in the organic certification program.
Key Points
- 1Sets minimum indoor space requirements of 2 square feet per bird for poultry houses
- 2Requires meaningful outdoor access with a minimum of 50% soil-covered ranging area
- 3Limits livestock transport duration to a maximum of 8 hours with rest, feed, and water intervals
- 4Establishes stocking density limits and enrichment requirements for all organic poultry operations
- 5One-year compliance timeline for existing certified organic operations after the effective date
Impact Assessment
If you are an organic livestock or poultry farmer, this means you will need to invest in infrastructure modifications to meet new space, enrichment, transport, and slaughter standards to maintain your organic certification.
National
Significant
Key Dates
March 3, 2025
Regulatory Connections
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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