This alert is over.

Outcome: The Senate Appropriations Committee decided on report language instead of a rider. The report language is an advisory statement, whereas the rider would have been a mandate.
Here is the report language:

Organic Livestock Proposed Rule. – The Committee is aware that USDA released a proposed rule on April 7, 2016, titled “National Organic Program:  Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices.”  The Committee directs the Secretary to ensure that all comments are taken into consideration, including those from producers adversely impacted by the proposal’s new compliance requirements, when finalizing the proposed rule.


Don’t Let Congress Undermine the Integrity of the Organic Rulemaking Process

When the organic industry’s most aggressive watchdog, The Cornucopia Institute, and the corporate lobby group, the Organic Trade Association (OTA), both agree on an issue we hope members of the organic community will take note.

Source: Sam Carpenter

This Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee has scheduled a vote to block the USDA’s proposed animal welfare rule on organic livestock and poultry practices.  Cornucopia, the OTA and many other organizations in the organic community oppose this vote.

Although Cornucopia does not support the proposed animal welfare rule as written, and is recommending substantive changes, it is entirely inappropriate for congressional leadership in both parties, influenced by agribusiness lobbyists, to hijack organic rulemaking. This sets a terrible precedent.

Call the Capitol Switchboard today at 202-224-3121.  Tell your senator that you oppose any effort to kill the organic animal welfare regulations. 

Your voice will matter even more if one of your Senators sits on the Appropriations Committee where this discussion will occur.  These members include:

Republicans:                                        

Cochran, Thad (MS), Chairman
McConnell, Mitch (KY)
Shelby, Richard C. (AL)
Alexander, Lamar (TN)
Collins, Susan M. (ME)
Murkowski, Lisa (AK)
Graham, Lindsey (SC)
Kirk, Mark (IL)
Blunt, Roy (MO)
Moran, Jerry (KS)
Hoeven, John (ND)
Boozman, John (AR)
Capito, Shelley Moore (WV)
Cassidy, Bill (LA)
Lankford, James (OK)
Daines, Steve (MT)

Democrats:

Mikulski, Barbara A. (MD), Ranking Member
Leahy, Patrick J. (VT)
Murray, Patty (WA)
Feinstein, Dianne (CA)
Durbin, Richard J. (IL)
Reed, Jack (RI)
Tester, Jon (MT)
Udall, Tom (NM)
Shaheen, Jeanne (NH)
Merkley, Jeff (OR)
Coons, Christopher A. (DE)
Schatz, Brian (HI)
Baldwin, Tammy (WI)
Murphy, Christopher (CT)

When you call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224- 3121, you will be asked by the operator who your Senator is.  When you are then connected to your Senator’s office, ask to speak with the staffer who works on agriculture appropriations.

 

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