USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has posted an announcement on rules.Gov its plan to withdraw all existing rules for organic pet food. “AMS proposes to revoke the rule and regulations issued on December 23, 2024, entitled” National Organic Program; Market Development for Mushrooms and Pet Food. “
These important organic provisions for pet food were in place for less than six months, and now – because of “Eliminate 10 Regulations for each new regulation of executive order” – The agency plans to remove them.
Truthaboutpetfood.com asked USDA why they want to recall the organic pet food rules they recently completed, the agency replied by:
“Hello Susan, the department published a proposed rule for withdrawing the market development rule. There is an executive order that requires when an agency publishes a new rule, regulation or guidance, it must identify at least 10 existing rules, regulations or guidance documents to be repealed. At the presented, 20, on the proposed public comments about the proposed release of the proposed re -comments on the proposed release of the proposed release.
Were the organic pet foods USDA plan to remove necessary?
Per USDA, absolutely yes. When the rules for organic pets were published in December 2024, the USDA explained why the rules were so necessary.
“This rule regulates what organic pet food can contain and how organic claims can be used on pet food.”
“The Lack of Specific Standards for Organic Pet Food Has Created Inconsistcy and Uncertainty Around Labeling and Composition Requirements for Organic Pet Food. Certifiers have Used Various Combinations of the Standards for Livestock Feed and Processed Products, Neither Verifying the processing, action, Product Composition, and Labeling Requirements for Multi-Inredient Processed Agricultural Products, But They Lack Specific Allowances for nutrients necessary for pets.
“In summary, this rule deals with inconsistencies in how certification of agents applies the current organic provisions to pet foods.
The endDecember 2024 Organic pet food rule assured pet owners that slaughter by -products (used in organic pet food) were taken from inspected and passed animals. Quotes USDA:
“The term organic slaughter by -products refers to the parts of organic animals that humans usually do not eat, such as slaughter products, pigs and bones. It does not refer to inferior animal products from sick animals, uninspected animals, condemned animals or animals that are considered unsuitable for human consumption.”
“AMS agrees with the comments that organic pet foods must not contain condemned, sick or otherwise unhealthy animal products, and the final rule should in no way be misunderstood to allow them.”
USDA itself admitted that the rules approved in December 2024 resolved “Problems by first determining that organic pet foods are regulated as a processed product rather than livestock.”
But if these provisions are cut – organic pet food will face problems. Organic pet foods will return to being regulated as livestock.
If these regulations are cut, There would be nothing to prevent an organic feed quality pet food from purchases ”Subsistible animal products from sick animals, uninspected animals, condemned animals or animals that are considered unsuitable for human consumption. “
The deletion of these rules results in ”inconsistency“In the regulation of most pet foods that make ecological claims. The exception would be (very) get pet foods and treat brands whose Manufacturing facilities are certified organic.
Please speak up.
USDA accepts comments on the proposed withdrawal of the pets for pet food until June 11, 2025. We urge all pet owners to submit a comment that says USDA to keep organic pet food provisions in place, please find another rule to fulfill their requirements to delete 10 rules. Organic pet food should be regulated as pet food, not livestock.
To comment, go to: https://www.regulation.gov/document/ams-nop-222-0063-3399 and click on the blue “comment” button.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author buyers watch out, co -authors dinner pawsible
Truthabouttfood.com
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