The first national organic dairy brand applauds the U.S.
Department of Agriculture for focusing on grazing issues at its
National Organic Standards Board Pasture Symposium earlier this week,
and encouraged the USDA to adopt stricter organic dairy grazing
regulations.
Kelly Shea, Horizon Organic(R)'s Vice President of Organic Stewardship and Industry Relations, noted that Horizon Organic has repeatedly asked the USDA to clarify and strengthen pasture requirements for organic livestock.
"We at Horizon Organic actively support changes to the organic regulations clarifying that the requirements for pasture apply to all ruminants, including lactating animals," Shea said.
"We also fully support a change that would require active grazing for at least 120 days during the growing season. It is critical that all organic farmers -- including those in the process of transitioning to organic -- have certainty versus ambiguity wherever possible."
To that end, Horizon Organic just mailed copies of the USDA's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on the pasture issue to the Horizon Organic family of more than 500 farmers, so they can directly comment to the USDA.
Horizon Organic joins with other organic producers and certifiers in urging the USDA to move forward on this issue.
About Horizon Organic
Horizon Organic, founded in 1991, was the first certified organic dairy to distribute products nationally in the United States. The company remains true to its vision for a more organic planet, purchasing milk from more than 325 certified organic dairy farms and providing certified organic dairy products to natural foods retailers and supermarkets across the country. Horizon Organic products are produced without the use of harmful pesticides, antibiotics or added growth hormones and always will be. That's the organic promise from our farmers to consumers. For more information on the growing world of organic, visit www.horizonorganic.com.
Kelly Shea, Horizon Organic(R)'s Vice President of Organic Stewardship and Industry Relations, noted that Horizon Organic has repeatedly asked the USDA to clarify and strengthen pasture requirements for organic livestock.
"We at Horizon Organic actively support changes to the organic regulations clarifying that the requirements for pasture apply to all ruminants, including lactating animals," Shea said.
"We also fully support a change that would require active grazing for at least 120 days during the growing season. It is critical that all organic farmers -- including those in the process of transitioning to organic -- have certainty versus ambiguity wherever possible."
To that end, Horizon Organic just mailed copies of the USDA's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on the pasture issue to the Horizon Organic family of more than 500 farmers, so they can directly comment to the USDA.
Horizon Organic joins with other organic producers and certifiers in urging the USDA to move forward on this issue.
About Horizon Organic
Horizon Organic, founded in 1991, was the first certified organic dairy to distribute products nationally in the United States. The company remains true to its vision for a more organic planet, purchasing milk from more than 325 certified organic dairy farms and providing certified organic dairy products to natural foods retailers and supermarkets across the country. Horizon Organic products are produced without the use of harmful pesticides, antibiotics or added growth hormones and always will be. That's the organic promise from our farmers to consumers. For more information on the growing world of organic, visit www.horizonorganic.com.