COK Urging USDA to Protect Animals Suffering in Organic Program

Deadline to submit public comments to USDA: January 18 at 11:59pm ET! Scroll down for sample language!

Animals raised and killed for organic-labeled products often spend their lives crowded on filthy industrial farms, just like other farmed animals. Meanwhile, Big Ag profits off consumers’ beliefs that these animals are treated more humanely.

For nearly a year, the USDA has been delaying implementing an already finalized rule that would provide the basic protections severely lacking for these animals. And now, the agency plans to scrap the rule entirely.

Compassion Over Killing is submitting coalition comments to the USDA. Please join us by submitting a comment today… you can use our sample comment below or use your own words!

A 2013 Edge Research poll indicates that the majority of shoppers are misled by the USDA organic label, believing that it signifies a high level of animal welfare.

Did you know?

• 99% of chickens slaughtered for organic meat spend their short lives in sheds crammed with more than 100,000 other birds
• 68% of surveyed organic buyers mistakenly thought that animals raised under organic standards have daily outdoor access

It’s time for the USDA to put the organic program more in line with consumers’ expectations of the bare minimum standards of animal welfare.

JOIN US NOW! Submit your comment to urge the USDA to finally implement meaningful welfare regulations that consumers expect for the millions of animals raised and killed under the organic program. **Comments must be submitted by January 18 at 11:59pm ET!**

SAMPLE COMMENT:
I am writing as a concerned consumer to urge you not to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) rule. For nearly 20 years, a lack of basic animal welfare regulations for the organic program has allowed industry giants to profit off of a trusting public–without actually providing meaningful improvements that these consumers expect. As shoppers grow increasingly concerned about the treatment of farmed animals, many organic customers believe that at least these limited protections are already in place. For example, 68% of surveyed organic buyers mistakenly thought that animals raised under organic standards already have daily outdoor access–and more than 90% believed that these animals should have access to vegetation and “natural ground,” which the new rule would require. They would be shocked to learn that 99 percent of chickens killed for organic meat are actually crammed into sheds with more than 100,000 other birds. It’s time for the organic program to begin meeting consumer expectations of animal welfare: Please afford the millions of animals raised and killed under the organic program the basic protections outlined in the OLPP rule.