AMS Postpones Effective Date of New Organic Livestock and Poultry Requirements

The Agricultural Marketing Service is delaying until Nov. 14 the effective date of changes to its organic livestock and poultry production requirements, it said (here). The agency's January final rule adds new provisions on livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living conditions, and expands and clarifies “existing requirements covering livestock care and production practices and mammalian living conditions," AMS said (see 1701180085). The effective date had already been delayed until May from its original March effective date. AMS is also asking for comments by June 9 (here) on whether it should allow the rule to take effect in November, delay the rule further, or suspend or withdraw the changes.