Aurora Organic Dairy Must Increase Cows' Access to Pasture |
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August 30, 2007
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©USDA/Bill Tarpenning |
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To keep its organic certification, Aurora must allow its cows daily access to pasture. |
Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has yet to resolve years of debate regarding the "access to pasture" requirement in federal organic regulations, a victory was recently achieved for organic dairy producers, consumers and animals.
Earlier this year, the USDA initiated an investigation into practices at Aurora Organic Dairy's facilities after a complaint was filed alleging that its animals were not being provided sufficient access to pasture.
On Aug. 29, the USDA announced that it has entered into a consent agreement with Aurora Organic Dairy. Some of the major adjustments Aurora will now have to make include:
- Providing cows with daily access to pasture during the growing season, acknowledging that lactation is not a reason to deny them access to pasture;
- Reducing the number of cows to a level consistent with available pasture with agreed maximum stocking densities; and
- Ceasing to apply the organic label to some of its milk.
Aurora Organic Dairy produces private-label milk for many supermarket chains. This consent agreement does not affect other facilities whose milk products are certified organic by USDA.
For more information, please see the USDA's announcement or read The New York Times's story on this issue.
Related Links
Milking the System: Dairy Factories Profiting from USDA 'Organic' Certification
A Brief Guide to Meat and Dairy Labels and Their Relevance to Animal Welfare
Delicious and Dairy-Free
About Cattle
