Suit vs. USDA over organic animal welfare rules allowed

 federal district court in northern California has ruled that a lawsuit challenging USDA’s withdrawal of organic animal welfare regulations can proceed. The Center for Food Safety is suing USDA after the agency withdrew the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule that would have increased federal regulation of animal housing, healthcare, transportation and slaughter practices for certified organic producers and handlers. Existing organic livestock and poultry regulations remain in place."We are very gratified that the court agrees we can challenge the unlawful withdrawal of these hard-won animal care protections in organic production," George Kimbrell, legal director for the Center for Food Safety, said in a press release.