Oppose Any Further Delay of the Organic Animal Welfare Rule! Comment by June 9th.
After gathering input from organic farmers, researchers,the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), and the public over the past ten years, the National Organic Program (NOP) rolled out its Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule (OLPP) in January. The OLPP or "animal welfare" rule would allow the NOP to consistently enforce stronger animal welfare standards on organic farms and remove loopholes being taken advantage of by some large operations.
Rather than allowing the OLPP or "animal welfare" rule to take effect this month, the USDA has delayed the rule until November 14th and is now asking whether it should even be implemented.
Send the USDA a clear message: the organic animal welfare rule—also known as the OLPP rule—should become effective on November 14th without further delay. Here's how to comment:
- Visit regulations.gov and enter docket # AMS-NOP-17-0031; NOP-15-06A to submit your comment online.
- Use these talking points and/or share your own thoughts as to why the USDA should let the OLPP rule take effect in November.
- You can also mail your comments to: Paul Lewis, Director, Standards Division, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 2642-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC. 20250-0268.
With your help, we can level the playing field for organic livestock producers and send a clear message that there should be no further delay in implementing the OLPP!
Thank you!
Maddie Monty
Policy Advisor, NOFA-VT