Opposing USDA’s Attempt to Withdraw Rules Design to Protect Animals on Organic Farms

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.

Updated

April 4, 2023

Work Type

Litigation

Status

Active

Next Step

Awaiting final rule publication

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 lawsuit survived the motion to dismiss, and the coalition filed a second amended complaint in September 2018. Briefing summary judgment motions will likely take place in late 2020.

No federal laws govern how farmed animals are raised and most state cruelty laws exempt standard agricultural practices.

Recent News

Related Cases

Looking for case and legal resources? View Resources

See More