The US Department of Agriculture has published new standards for organic livestock production.

According to the publication, when developing the standards, the US Department of Agriculture conducted an extensive survey to collect opinions and wishes from the public. As a result of the survey, more than 40 thousand comments were received.

The final rules include standards that address six key areas, including requirements for running areas, indoor and outdoor housing conditions, poultry stocking density, disease prevention measures, physical interventions, euthanasia, transport, handling and slaughter practices.

In particular, walking areas must have 75% adequate soil cover and include vegetation. Facilities, in turn, must provide sufficient space to allow animals to lie down, stand up, turn around, fully extend their limbs or wings, and freely engage in natural behaviors such as digging (for pigs) or scratching (for chickens). Bedding must be sufficiently voluminous and comfortable to meet the hygienic needs of animals.

Producers are required to implement measures to maintain animal health, including proper nutrition and comprehensive parasite control plans. Animals should be treated with approved medications to minimize their pain, stress and suffering.

Physical modifications to animals are permitted only for identification or safety purposes and should be carried out at a young age appropriate for the species, while minimizing pain and stress to the animals. Humane euthanasia is only permitted in cases where treatment is not possible.

Implementation and enforcement of the new standards will be overseen by the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP).