Organic Groups Suing USDA over Livestock Rule

Four organic groups have filed a lawsuit against the USDA, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, regarding the organic livestock welfare rule.  Led by the Center for Food Safety, the groups say the decision to withdraw the rule was “outrageous and unlawful,” similar verbiage used by the USDA when discussing 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, which includes Cultivate Oregon and others, claim the rule would strengthen the minimum requirements for the care and well-being of animals on organic farms.

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