Origin of Livestock Information Collection Notice Request for Public Comments

BY USDA NOP | Apr 26, 2023

Origin of Livestock
Information Collection Notice

Request for Public Comments

Reporting and recordkeeping are essential to the integrity of the organic certification system. Information collected is the basis for evaluating certifier and operation compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act and USDA organic regulations. In general, compliance with USDA organic regulations requires certain types of information on certifiers and certified operations to be collected and maintained by USDA.

NOP today published a Federal Register Notice requesting public input on the information collection requirements created by the Origin of Livestock final rule. The final rule clarified that organic dairy operations may transition nonorganic animals to organic production once—after that, any animals added to an operation must have been organically managed from the last third of gestation. To provide flexibility, the final rule allows small, certified operations to request a variance from the rule’s one-time transition requirement under limited conditions.

NOP is seeking public comment on the burdens, costs, and other effects of the information collection required by the final rule, which adds a process by which organic operations may request a variance, or exception, from certain livestock sourcing requirements. Online comments are encouraged. Information on how to submit comments can be found on Regulations.gov, and by clicking the link below. The 60-day comment period will close on June 26, 2023.