Organic Dairy Rules May Be Changing

As you know from watching episode 2, just because the milk you buy in the store is "organic", that does not guarantee that the cows are grazing on pasture.  Yet that is the vision most consumers have when they buy these organic milks.  The sad fact is that some "industrial organic" dairies have their cows living in Feed Lot like conditions.

Well, according to this AP story published in the Boston Globe, the US Department of Agriculture has submitted a draft for new organic dairy rules, mandating that organic dairy cows have to spend at least 120 days a year out on pasture.  A rule like this would make it hard for these industrial firms to continue their cruel practices.  This seems like a good step in the right direction.  The comment period on these new rules ends in December, we will have to stay tuned to see if drafts actually becomes part of official policy.