Like a sick old heifer, the USDA is putting the current, toothless organic farming regulations out to pasture.
As the popularity of organic foods continues to grow, so does the size of organic dairies and farms. But there have been a handful of these larger farms that have been playing loose with the ambiguous rules set in place in 2002 by the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP).
Stories started emerging about "organic" farmers cramming their cattle into confined areas and distributing food via feedlots — typical conventional farming practices, but not what conscientious consumers had expected when they plunked down the extra cash for "organic" products.
There was serious consumer backlash regarding whether or not the organic label was actually worth the paper it was printed on.
NOP regulations in 2002 simply called for "access to pasture," which is about as vague as it gets. By definition, farmers could let their cows out one afternoon and keep them locked down the rest of the year — the bovine equivalent of the one hour of daylight given to prisoners in solitary confinement.
The new rules are far more specific, which is wonderful news for organic consumers... and especially good news for the livestock.
The reformed regulations are nearly everything a captive farm animal would hope for, outside of an executive pardon. They will now be out to pasture for the entire growing season (at least four months a year) and be promised year-round access to the outdoors.
The organic community has roundly championed the USDA's action.
"Consumers increasingly are placing high value on organic principles that safeguard animal welfare and avoid confinement," noted Christine Bushway, executive director of the Organic Trade Association.
"We are thrilled that USDA has issued this final rule and that it goes into effect in 120 days, which means it will be in place for this year's grazing season. The organic community had been eagerly awaiting this important rule."
Another important stipulation is that in order to be considered organic, the animals must now get at least 30% of their diet from fresh grass, eaten while grazing.
Organic, grass-fed beef is loaded with 400% more of vitamins A and E.
Grass-fed cows produce not only more nutritious meat, but more nourishing milk as well. Because grass is high in omega 3 fatty acids, grass-fed cow's milk has much higher levels. When cows are fed corn, a common practice in conventional farming, they become loaded with the less desirable omega 6 fatty acids — which we arguably already have way too much of in our Western diet.
Omega 3s are instrumental in brain development and offer a litany of other health benefits.
By strengthening and specifying the rules for organic certification, the USDA has shown some spine amid growing consumer cynicism and distrust in our food labeling system. And with more and more products being marketed to the scrupulous and health-conscious, it's comforting to know that "organic", "natural," and "grass-fed" aren't vacuous marketing buzzwords, they're actually backed up by some stringent criteria.
Be Well,
Jimmy
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