WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture published the highly anticipated Origin of Livestock final rule for organic dairy. This change to the USDA organic regulations will promote a fairer and more competitive market for all organic dairy producers, by making sure that certified USDA organic dairy products are produced to the same consistent standard.
The regulation, known as the Origin of Livestock rule, will still allow dairy producers to convert their conventional cows to organic — but that transition can now only happen one time per operation.
Published Tuesday, the revised final rule also now prohibits organic dairies from sourcing any transitioned livestock, and reinforces that once a dairy is certified organic, livestock must be managed as organic from the last third of gestation.
“This action demonstrates the USDA’s strong commitment to America’s organic dairy farmers,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “The Origin of Livestock final rule provides clear and uniform standards about how and when livestock may be transitioned to organic dairy production, and how transitioned animals are managed within the organic dairy system. Now, all organic dairy livestock producers will have the confidence and certainty they are operating in a fair and competitive market.”
It is getting support from the organic industry, as they say it levels the playing field by ensuring consistency in how farms source and transition dairy cows to organic production. It also provides clarity for organic dairy processors.
USDA’s National Organic Program will oversee the new rule, which in allows a dairy livestock operation transitioning to organic, or starting a new organic farm, to transition non-organic animals one time. It also prohibits organic dairies from sourcing any transitioned animals. Once a dairy is certified organic, animals must be managed as organic from the last third of gestation. Variances may be requested by small businesses for specific scenarios.
More information about the Origin of Livestock rule is available at: www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/national-organic-program-origin-livestock
