USDA toughens organic standards

WASHINGTON — Organic meat and egg producers will have to abide by stricter animal welfare standards under a new rule announced Wednesday by the Agriculture Department.

The rule is a victory for animal rights groups two days before President Barack Obama leaves office.

The regulations will ensure that organically grown livestock have enough space to lie down, turn around, stand up and fully stretch their limbs. Poultry will have enough room to move freely and spread their wings. Beaks can’t be removed and cattle tails can’t be cut. Living conditions will have to include fresh air, proper ventilation and direct sunlight.

The regulations were first proposed last year.

Elanor Starmer, administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, said the rules are designed to help organic producers meet consumer expectations and ensure the integrity of the USDA organic seal as the industry has grown rapidly.

“It ensures that everyone competes on a level field and plays by the same rules,” Starmer said.

Farm-state lawmakers and some farm groups remain opposed to the rules, which they said could raise food prices and force some farmers out of business.

Sen. Pat Roberts, chairman of the Agriculture Committee, said he will work with Donald Trump’s administration after he is inaugurated Friday to try to reverse them. Trump has yet to name an agriculture secretary.

“With less than 48 hours left in power, this administration has overstepped its bounds with this damaging rule,” said Roberts, R-Kan.

The rules won’t go into effect until 2018, and some of the changes aren’t required for several years. That could give the next administration time to make changes.

The retail market for organic food products is val-