USDA will be working to reinstate standards for animal welfare on farms that produce organic meat—standards that were previously withdrawn by the Trump administration.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said he has directed the National Organic Program to begin a rulemaking to “address this statutory interpretation” and to include a proposal to disallow the use of porches as outdoor space in organic production. “We anticipate sending the proposed rule to [Office of Management and Budget] within six to nine months from the date of the remand,” Vilsack said. “We look forward to receiving public comments on those topics and, after reviewing the comments, USDA will publish a final rule.”
