Thursday, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee will debate the agriculture approps bill. The spending measure includes an organic rule provision proposed by USDA that has the organic and poultry industries concerned. National Association of Egg Farmers President Ken Klippen says that’s because the proposal mandates that chickens have access to the outdoors.
He says the organic rule proposal is not only too strict, but it goes beyond common sense and creates a dangerous environment for the birds.
Klippen says the provision also calls for a ban on the practice of debeaking birds, which is also problematic for poultry producers.
USDA’s organic rule proposal also extends to other species and one of the provisions would also stop the practice of tail docking for cattle and sheep.
