The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, has announced a 60 day delay for the effective date of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices. The rules amend requirements for certifying livestock and poultry production under the National Organic Program by expanding existing standards for living conditions, animal well-being, and production practices. The final rules also create new provisions for animal handling and transport for slaughter.

The action to delay the rule is in accordance with the “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” memo issued on Jan. 20, 2017 along with subsequent guidance.  The official notice is expected in the February 9 edition of the Federal Register, but a pre-publication document is available here. 

The final rule was issued on Jan. 19, 2017. See Docket No. AMS-NOP-15-0012 for the rule, related documents, and comments.