National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards, 61268 [2022-22011]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 61268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22011]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 11, 2022 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 61268]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 205

[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-21-0073]
RIN 0581-AE06


National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On August 9, 2022, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
published proposed amendments to the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations, with a 60-day comment period 
ending on October 11, 2022. The proposed rule would amend organic 
livestock and poultry production requirements. In response to multiple 
requests, AMS is announcing an extension of the public comment period 
by an additional 30 calendar days.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments on the proposed rule 
published on August 9, 2022, at 87 FR 48562, is extended until November 
10, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may comment on this proposed rule using 
one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: You may submit comments on the 
proposed rule, identified by AMS-NOP-21-0073, by electronic submission. 
Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter AMS-NOP-21-0073 in the 
Search box. Click the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, 
and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: AMS strongly prefers comments be submitted 
electronically. However, written comments may be submitted (i.e., 
postmarked) via mail to Erin Healy, Standards Division, National 
Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, Room 2646-So., Ag Stop 0268, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-0268. Mailed comments must 
be postmarked by November 10, 2022.
    All comments received are a part of the public record and will 
generally be posted for public viewing on https://www.regulations.gov 
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise 
sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be 
publicly accessible (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish 
to remain anonymous).
    Docket: To access the docket, including the Draft Regulatory Impact 
Analysis/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, other background 
documents, and comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov (search for 
docket ``AMS-NOP-21-0073'').

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Healy, Standards Division, 
National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, Room 2646-So., Ag Stop 0268, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-0268; Telephone: (202) 
617-4942. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 9, 2022, AMS published proposed 
changes to the USDA organic regulations for organic livestock and 
poultry production (87 FR 48562). The proposed changes would address a 
range of topics related to the care of organic livestock, including:
     Livestock health care practices--the proposed rule would 
specify which physical alteration procedures are prohibited or 
restricted for use on organic livestock. The proposed livestock health 
care practice standards include requirements for euthanasia to reduce 
suffering of any sick or disabled livestock;
     Living conditions--the proposed rule would set separate 
standards for mammalian and avian livestock living conditions to better 
reflect the needs and behaviors of the different species, as well as 
related consumer expectations. The proposed mammalian livestock 
standards would cover both ruminants and swine. The proposed avian 
livestock living standards would set maximum indoor and outdoor 
stocking densities to ensure the birds have sufficient space to engage 
in natural behaviors;
     Transport of animals--the proposed rule would add new 
requirements on the transport of organic livestock to sale or 
slaughter;
     Slaughter--the proposed rule would add a new section to 
clarify how organic slaughter facility practices and USDA Food Safety 
and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations work together to support 
animal welfare.
    During the comment period, AMS received multiple requests for 
additional time to prepare and submit comments. Having considered the 
requests, AMS is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days 
to provide further opportunity for public comment. This extension 
provides a total of 90 days for public input. We encourage members of 
the public to submit comments on the proposed amendments, 
implementation options, and AMS's analysis of the proposed rule (see 87 
FR 48564).

Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22011 Filed 10-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P