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Organic Groups Suing USDA over Livestock Rule

Dan Industry News Release, Organic

Four organic groups have filed a lawsuit against The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, regarding the organic livestock welfare rule.

certified organicLed by the Center for Food Safety, the groups say the decision to withdraw the rule was “outrageous and unlawful,” similar to what USDA called the rule.

In the March 13th decision, USDA claimed the regulations could not be issued because the agency lacked the authority to regulate practices such as animal space for livestock under the Organic label. The regulations were finalized in the final days of the Obama administration.

The Groups say the rule would strengthen the minimum requirements for the care and well-being of animals on organic farms. Represented by CFS legal counsel, the plaintiffs are the Center for Food Safety, Center for Environmental Health, Cultivate Oregon, and the International Center for Technology Assessment.

From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.