The US Department of Agriculture has issued new rules clarifying the production methods that must be used for cattle and dairy products to be deemed organic – in particular access to pasture.
The new rules, which amend the National Organic Program, require cattle to have year-round access to pasture and to be out in pasture for at least 120 days a year. A minimum of 30% of their feed should come from pasture, the USDA stipulated.
While the USDA said that the majority of US organic dairies already meet these standards, the move is designed to offer consumers confidence in the products they are buying.
“Clear and enforceable standards are essential to the health and success of the market for organic agriculture. The final rule published today will give consumers confidence that organic milk or cheese comes from cows raised on pasture, and organic family farmers the assurance that there is one, consistent pasture standard that applies to dairy products,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
Dairies that have already qualified for organic certification will have one year after the final rule is published in July to implement the measures while any operations that apply for certification will be expected to be in compliance, the Department said.
The move has been welcomed by consumer groups and Consumers Union technical policy Urvashi Rangan said the new standards go “a long way” to “bridging the gap” between consumer expectations and the “realities of how much time organic animals are required to spend in the pasture.”
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By GlobalData
