The unfair Origin of Livestock Rule has been an issue for Organic Farmers for years. It was a loophole that allowed non-organic animals to join an organic farm, and magically become organic. Well, as of today (Tuesday) that is no longer the case!
 
This is a huge win for organic farmers and the organic community as a whole!
 
The FINAL ORIGIN OF LIVESTOCK (OLL) RULE STATES THE FOLLOWING:
* A dairy livestock operation transitioning to organic, or starting a new organic farm, is allowed to transition non-organic animals only ONCE.
* Prohibits organic dairies from sourcing any transitioned animals. Once a dairy is certified organic, any new animals must have been born as certified organic (managed as organic from the last third of gestation).

Now that we have the rule, the next hurdle is enforcing it! As a board member of NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Associations-NY,) I know all organic certifiyers are not created equal, and we are at the mercy of the USDA National Organic Program to enforce this rule. Let’s hope they do their job!!

 
A big thanks to the Organic Farmers Association, the NOFA‘s and other farming organizations, and the entire organic community who helped make this happen!

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