Organic Livestock & Poultry Standards

Organic Livestock & Poultry Standards

What is the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) Rule?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule aimed at fortifying organic livestock and poultry production standards. This rule introduces new provisions for livestock handling and transport, slaughter, and avian (poultry) living conditions. Additionally, it expands and clarifies existing requirements related to livestock care, production practices, and non-avian living conditions.

Six chickens standing near a farmstead window, with a grassy background visible through the opening.

Implementation Date: The OLPS final rule was published on November 2, 2023, with the following implementation dates:

All organic operations must comply with the requirements of this rule by January 2, 2025, except:

  • (1) Currently certified organic layer operations and layer operations that are certified before January 2, 2025, must comply with the §§ 205.241(c)(2), (c)(4), and (c)(5), concerning outdoor stocking density requirements and soil and vegetation requirements, by January 2, 2029.

  • (2) Currently certified organic broiler operations and broiler operations that are certified before January 2, 2025, must comply with §§ 205.241(b)(10), (c)(2), and (c)(6), concerning indoor and outdoor stocking density requirements and soil and vegetation requirements, by January 2, 2029.

  • (3) Currently certified organic poultry operations and poultry operations that are certified before January 2, 2025, must comply with §  205.241(b)(4), concerning poultry house exit area requirements, by January 2, 2029.

Based on the above dates, this means that organic layer (including pullets) operations must comply with the indoor space requirements (e.g., stocking densities) by January 2, 2025.

Also, an important clarification to note: if a poultry operation (e.g., layer or broiler) is certified before January 2, 2025, but then surrenders after that date and reapplies, that operation must comply with all the delayed requirements with the implementation date of January 2, 2029, immediately.

Farmer feeding calves in a barn using a longfeeding tube.

OLPS Resources

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