The Obama administration enacted new humane-handling rules
for organic livestock and poultry producers on its last day in office, Jan 19.
The rules have been in the works since summer, and the
last-minute enactment drew criticism from the National Pork Producers Council
which also said some of the rules have no basis in science.
On the other hand, animal welfare groups are pleased.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA) “commends” the move, calling it an “historic move” and “the
first comprehensive set of regulations governing the on-farm treatment of
animals ever issued by the federal government.”
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) called the
rule a “game-changer for the $40-billion organic market whose consumers often
believe that organic farm animals are raised with strong animal welfare
standards.”
The National Pork Producers Council, however, called it
“another ‘midnight’ regulation” and a “poke in the eye to agriculture.”
Some of the requirements, such as outdoor access, could even
put some livestock at risk for contracting certain diseases, the pork council
said, also without citing any scientific reports.
USDA is accepting public comments on the rule until Feb. 21,
but it went into effect as soon as it was published.
