Opposing USDA’s Attempt to Withdraw Rules Design to Protect Animals on Organic Farms
National Organic Coalition v Purdue
In May 2018, the Animal Legal Defense Fund joined a coalition of consumer, environmental, and animal protection groups opposing the withdrawal of rules that would provide basic protections for farmed animals at organic farms.
Next Step
Motion for Summary Judgement
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was scheduled to implement rules that would provide basic protections for farmed animals at organic farms — like giving hens access to the outdoors, setting maximum stocking densities for hens and chickens, and prohibiting physical mutilations across species. But after continuous delays, the USDA abandoned the rules entirely.
In May 2018, The Animal Legal Defense Fund, as part of a coalition, submitted comments to the USDA opposing the withdrawal of these rules. And when the USDA formally withdrew the rules, the Animal Legal Defense Fund joined a coalition of organizations to oppose the decision in federal court.
In June 2018, the USDA filed a motion to dismiss the suit. The parties are currently briefing the motion to dismiss and will then await a decision from the court.
No federal laws govern the condition in which farmed animals are raised and most state anti-cruelty laws exempt farmed animals.
Recent News
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Animal Legal Defense Fund Victorious in Factory Farm Transparency Lawsuit against FDA
Judgment will expose abusive and unsanitary conditions at egg farmsJanuary 29, 2019 Press Release -
Court Rules Iowa Ag-Gag Law Unconstitutional in Major Victory for Free Speech and Animal Protection
Undercover investigations at factory farms protected by First AmendmentJanuary 9, 2019 Press Release -
Wins for Animals in the 2018 Midterm Election
The recent midterm election included two big wins for animal protection: Amendment 13 and Proposition 12.January 5, 2019 Animal Law Update
Related Cases
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Challenging FSA’s Medium-sized CAFO Exemptions
Dakota Rural Action v. United States Department of Agriculture
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Challenging Iowa’s Ag-Gag Law
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Kimberly K. Reynolds
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Compelling the FDA To Produce Factory Egg Farm Inspection Reports
Animal Legal Defense Fund v U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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