USDA: Organic rule delayed

A long-embattled rule that would change animal housing and handling rules under the organic standard was delayed again just ahead of its Nov. 14 effective date. Opponents of the rule call it unnecessary, potentially harmful to livestock welfare, and little more than pandering to consumers’ confusion over organic standards. Supporters call it necessary to maintain and improve the integrity of the organic label. The rule, which was finalized in the last days of the Obama administration, fell under the Trump administration’s freeze on new regulations.