As previously covered on this blog, on January 19, 2017, USDA published a controversial final rule on organic livestock and poultry which establishes minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for chickens as a function of type of production and stage of life. 82 FR 7042.

On February 9, 2017, USDA published a Notice in the Federal Register delaying the effective date of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule by 60 days to May 19, 2017.  The Agency noted that this delay is consistent with the Memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled, “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review.”

Given the controversial nature of the final rule and a new administration at the helm, the ultimate fate of this rule continues to remain unclear.