Milking the System: Dairy Factories Profiting from USDA 'Organic' Certification |
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November 4, 2005
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Farm Sanctuary
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Each time you purchase an organic food product, you are voicing your opposition to the more conventional production methods used on factory farms. Regrettably for consumers and true organic producers, however, you are unwittingly supporting some factory farms when you purchase dairy products that have been certified "organic" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In contrast to the absence of federal regulations governing treatment of conventionally raised animals while on the farm, the organic standards specify that livestock farmers "must establish and maintain livestock living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of animals." Organically raised livestock must have "[a]ccess to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of production, the climate, and the environment." Ruminants, such as cows, must also have access to pasture.
The requirement that cows be given access to pasture is at the heart of the debate over products from dairy factory farms being certified as "organic." The standards do permit temporary confinement as a response to inclement weather, risk to soil or water quality, the animal's stage of production, and conditions under which the health, safety, or well-being of the animal could be jeopardized. Some industrialized facilities have used this temporary confinement exemption to raise cows almost exclusively in outdoor pens. Despite this practice, their products are still being certified "organic" by the USDA.
What You Can Do
The National Organic Standards Board, which advises the USDA on organic standards, will meet on November 16 and 17. The USDA will accept public comments on the access to pasture requirement for dairy cows at that time. Whether or not you can attend the meeting, please submit comments by Friday, November 11.
For more information on "organic" dairy factories, read a detailed report in PDF format by Gowri Koneswaran, Esq., program manager for Farm Animal Welfare at The HSUS.
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Related Links
A Brief Guide to Meat and Dairy Labels and Their Relevance to Animal Welfare
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