News briefs: federal organic livestock rule, bill veto Standards for organic livestock
transportation and slaughter practices to support animal welfare for avian and mammalian livestock. The proposed changes also establish indoor and outdoor space requirements and stocking-density limits for poultry. USDA organic standards already require outdoor access for poultry and livestock. But some poultry companies use enclosed porches to meet the requirement. The proposed amendments would clarify the
standards to require true outdoor access and room to roam for poultry operations. USDA has proposed two implementation periods—five years versus 15 years—for certified organic egg producers to meet the outdoor space requirements for laying hens. Submit comments at www. regulations. gov. Written comments may be submit- ted by mail to Erin Healy, MPH., Director Standards Division, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, Room 2646-So.,
Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0268. Mailed com- ments must be postmarked by Nov. 10. To access the docket, including back- ground documents and comments re- ceived, go to www.regulations.gov and search for docket “AMS-NOP-21-0073.” Organic legislation vetoed Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have made changes to the California Organic Food and Farming Act, which governs how the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Public Health enforce rules on the production, labeling and marketing of organic products. Assembly Bill 1870, by Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, was meant to help the state stop people from making false claims about their products being or- ganic. It would have required CDPH to es- tablish a process for resolving complaints about the production, labeling and mar- keting of organic products within 90 days, as specified in existing law. The bill would have required CDPH to compile, publish and submit information on total fees collected, including the costs to administer the state organic program. In his veto message, Newsom said AB 1870 is “duplicative of existing law and re- sults in ongoing General Fund costs not included in the budget.” Existing law requires organic food processors and handlers to register with CDPH. It also authorizes any person to file a complaint with CDPH about sus- pected noncompliance. Under current law, CDPH must establish a procedure for handling complaints, com- pleting an investigation and reporting the findings and enforcement action taken, if any, to the complainant within 90 days. In addition, the law requires CDPH to com- pile, publish and submit to the California Organic Products Advisory Committee a summary of specified information collect- ed from the registration form. Standards board meets in Sacramento The National Organic Standards Board will hold one of two annual meetings in Sacramento Oct. 25-27. The board makes recommendations on production, han- dling and processing of organic products. Sessions will be held at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Arena, 300 J St., and webcast live from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.ams. usda.gov/event/national-organic- standards-board-nosb-meeting- sacramento-ca-2022. ‘Cost Share’ deadline is Oct. 31 U.S. certified organic producers and handlers may receive a 50% refund on cer- tification costs, up to $500 per certification category. Those include crops, livestock, wild crops and state organic program fees. Refunds are provided under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Certification Cost Share Program. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31. For more information, go to www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and- services/occsp/index.
Farmers and the public may still com- ment on proposed changes to U.S. organic regulations, specifi- cally requirements for organic livestock and poultry production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline to Nov. 10. The proposed rule, published on Aug. 9, clarifies living conditions, healthcare,
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10 Ag Alert October 19, 2022
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