WASHINGTON—USDA updated its regulations on how much time organic livestock must be allowed to graze at pasture, which amends the National Organic Program’s (NOP) previous regulations that said organically raised livestock had to have access to pasture, but did not give a time limit.
"Clear and enforceable standards are essential to the health and success of the market for organic agriculture," said agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack. "The final rule will give consumers confidence that organic milk or cheese comes from cows raised on pasture, and organic family farmers the assurance that there is one, consistent pasture standard that applies to dairy products."
The main components of the rule include:
- Animals must graze pasture during the grazing season, which must be at least 120 days per year;
- Animals must obtain a minimum of 30 percent of their food from grazing at pasture during the grazing season;
- Producers must have a pasture management plan and manage pasture as a crop to meet the feed requirements for the grazing animals and to protect soil and water quality; and,
- Livestock are exempt from the 30-percent intake requirements during the finish feeding period, when animals are being fatten for slaughter, not to exceed 120 days. Livestock must have access to pasture during the finishing phase.
The final rule becomes effective on June 17, 2010. Operations which are already certified organic will have one year to implement the provisions. Operations which obtain organic certification after the effective date will be expected to demonstrate full compliance.
USDA received a substantial number of comments on provisions of the rule affecting finish feeding practices of slaughter livestock, and has extended the comment period for this provision for 60 days until April 19, 2010. This 60-day comment period pertains to the finish feeding provisions only.
USDA said finish feeding is commonly used by organic farmers and ranchers to improve the grade of beef and involves feeding livestock grain.
"It is difficult to decouple standards for milking cows from standards for finish feeding," said deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "Since finish feeding gets swept up into this dairy rulemaking, we are taking an extra step and inviting public comment on the finish feeding requirements. We want to be certain that our actions pertaining to finish feeding are aligned with organic principles."
This final rule is the culmination of a process that was initiated in 2005 when the NOP Standards Board recommended ruminants obtain a minimum 30-percent of their food from grazing for at least 120 days. The proposed rule, published on Oct. 28, 2008, received more than 26,000 comments from producers, retailers, handlers, certifying agents, consumers, trade associations, organic associations, animal welfare organizations, consumer groups, state and local government entities, and various industry groups.