en.Wedoany.com Reported - Organic industry groups recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, demanding that animal welfare requirements for organic livestock be maintained and opposing the revocation of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards. Recently, the Organic Trade Association, together with companies such as Perdue Farms and Whole Foods Market, sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, stating that revoking the standards would "depart from the core expectations associated with organic livestock products."

The USDA is currently reviewing the rule in response to a presidential executive order requiring the reduction of regulatory burdens on businesses. A spokesperson stated that the review is still underway and no decision has been made. Previously, the National Chicken Council submitted a petition to revoke parts of the rule, arguing that the standards impose high costs on organic broiler farms and create biosecurity risks. The council called for the elimination of outdoor access area requirements, the relaxation of stocking density limits, and an increase in the temperature threshold for confining poultry.

Tom Chapman, co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association, expressed willingness to discuss adjustments but voiced concerns about the risk of complete revocation. He pointed out that consumers associate the organic label with animal welfare, and weakening the standards would damage the label's credibility. According to an Organic Trade Association report, 51% of U.S. consumers believe organic products protect animal welfare, with the figure rising to 67% among loyal consumers. Producers supporting the rule emphasized that the standards enhance the integrity of organic products and should not be rolled back.

The rule took effect in January 2024, with poultry farms having a transition period until 2029. Data from the Organic Trade Association shows that between 2023 and 2025, the number of organic layer farms increased by 17%, and organic broiler farms grew by 12%, indicating that the standards have not hindered industry development.

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