In the December 18, 2017, Federal Register, USDA proposed to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices ("OLPP") final rule published on January 19, 2017, by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service ("AMS"). The OLPP final rule amends the organic livestock and poultry production requirements in the USDA organic regulations by adding new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter and avian living conditions. It also expands and clarifies existing requirements covering livestock care and production practices and mammalian living conditions. USDA proposed withdrawing the OLPP rule based on its interpretation of 7 U.S.C. 6905, under which the OLPP final rule would exceed USDA's statutory authority, and upon USDA's revised assessments of its benefits and burdens and USDA's view of regulatory policy. If this withdrawal is finalized, the existing organic livestock and poultry regulations now published at 7 CFR Part 205 would remain effective. The OLPP final rule was originally set to take effect on March 20, 2017, but extended to May 14, 2018. Comments are due January 17, 2018.
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