This was on www.thediscerningbrute.com and is just too sweet of a story not to share…

Remember when I asked for help in reforming the organic meat and dairy industry?  The efforts were successful!

From the ASPCA…

Good news—the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed regulations for the care of “organic” dairy cows, which we asked you take action on two weeks ago, have been approved! The new rules, effective June 17, stipulate that organic milk and meat must come from livestock grazing on pasture for at least four months of the year; 30 percent of the cows’ feed must come from grazing; and ranchers must have a plan to protect soil and water quality.

“We are delighted to learn that so many cows will now have access to pasture and an opportunity to graze,” says Robert Baker, ASPCA Senior Manager of Farm Animal Welfare. “We hope this will be the first of many steps the USDA will take to align organic standards with humane standards. Consumers need to be given an opportunity to make a ‘humane’ choice as well as a healthy choice when they choose organic products. We welcome these initial measures toward this goal.”

We would like to give a big thanks to News Alert readers and members of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade who took the time to email the White House from ASPCA.org. Over the span of 15 days, more than 33,000 emails were sent!

“Clear and enforceable standards are essential to the health and success of the market for organic agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a USDA press release issued last Friday. “The final rule published today will give consumers confidence that organic milk or cheese comes from cows raised on pasture, and organic family farmers the assurance that there is one, consistent pasture standard that applies to dairy products.”

For more information on the new rules for organic milk, visit the website of the National Organic Program.

From ASPCA…send the email – I did!

U.S. demand for organic milk has increased as much as 30% in the last few years. However, contrary to popular belief, the lives of “organic” dairy cows are often no different from those of their non-organic counterparts. Instead of the lush green pastures depicted in commercials and on milk cartons, an estimated 30-40% of the nation’s organic milk supply comes from large factory farms. Many of the largest organic dairies in the country confine their cows in barns and/or dry lots, which are simply dirt pens. These cows never see a blade of grass in their lives.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) already requires that organic dairy cows be allowed to graze in pastures, but the loophole in this regulation is so large that enforcement has proved hopeless. However, there is good news on the horizon: the USDA has proposed rules to better enforce existing requirements and ensure that organic dairy farms graze their cows rather than confine them.

The proposed regulations are awaiting the approval of the President’s Office of Management and Budget, which is apolitical and not influenced by public pressure. The best way to make your voice heard is to contact President Obama himself and urge him to champion the USDA’s new regulations to his budget office. A decision could be made any day, so please visit aspca.org/USA to send an email to the White House asking the President to take this small step to address the public’s concerns about where “organic” milk comes from. You may also call the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111.