Long-anticipated revisions to the USDA’s organic livestock and poultry requirements were explained during SFA's Regulatory Update Webinar titled “Livestock and Poultry Organic Proposed Rules: Impacts for SFA Members.” Jeni Lamb Rogers, supply chain associate general counsel at Branded and Colorado State committee member at the USDA Farm Service Agency, provided a summary of the rule and outlined points of interest for specialty food makers before the public comment period ends on October 11, 2022.
The proposed rule changes are designed to increase transparency while addressing the living conditions for livestock and poultry. Makers who use organic livestock, poultry, and egg ingredients will likely be affected by these changes.
“Milk, eggs, poultry, and meat are key ingredients in many SFA products and animal raising and animal welfare claims have become a cornerstone for many companies as part of their marketing and [may affect] how specialty foods may be differentiated or seek out their market niche,” Rogers said. “One of the main ideas behind this standard is, over many years, organizations and companies have come to rely on additional certifications for animal welfare as opposed to organic standards.”
A crucial aspect of the proposed changes acknowledges a “market failure” in the organic industry: a lack of focus on animal welfare, among other aspects, has negatively impacted consumer trust in what it means to be organic. The changes seek to address these issues by tightening regulations. This includes creating and enforcing defined provisions like outdoor space (both size and animal access to it), stocking density maximums, areas designated for normal animal behavior, ammonia level and artificial light caps, and healthcare and transportation requirements.
Debate persists when farms and facilities must comply with the new legislation proposed in the document; for example, new rule compliance allowing eggs to be organic can allow producers to wait anywhere from three to 15 years after the ruling is passed.
Rogers encourages SFA members to send comments to the USDA, specifically related to if the new rulings will affect organic ingredient sourcing for their business, if it will affect the members’ product marketing, if they have seen a market failure in organic certifications, and how long they feel producers should have to implement the new rule.
To learn more about how the proposed changes may impact your specialty food business, watch the webinar on demand in SFA’s Learning Center.
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