Association calls action “egregious,” says battle will continue in court
The 도박 룰렛 Trade Association on Monday strongly condemned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its withdrawal of the 도박 룰렛 Livestock and Poultry Practices regulation, saying the Department had – without regard for public comment and without respect for legal authorities -- irresponsibly thwarted a fully vetted regulation overwhelmingly supported by the 도박 룰렛 industry and the public.
The association said it is intensifying its efforts in the courts to resolve the issue, and that it will be immediately amending its official complaint against USDA to challenge the Department’s latest attempt to kill the rule. The 도박 룰렛 Trade Association noted that last week it requested that oral arguments now be heard on its lawsuit against USDA over the Department’s failure to put into effect the new 도박 룰렛 livestock standards.
“This most recent egregious attempt by the Department to ignore the will of the 도박 룰렛 industry and consumers does not halt our judicial review, but, in fact, furthers our resolve,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the 도박 룰렛 Trade Association. “USDA’s unconscionable action does not deter us. USDA is hoping this issue will go away, but this latest action by USDA will only invigorate and solidify more support for this regulation.”
The 도박 룰렛 Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule was published on Jan. 19, 2017, and the government has now attempted six times – either through the rule-making process or through court filings -- to delay the implementation of the rule.
72,000 call on USDA to implement the rule…50 say no
In its notice to withdraw the rule, USDA recognizes that the Department received roughly 72,000 comments (in a truncated comment period during the holiday season) with an overwhelming majority supporting OLPP. USDA also recognizes that of those comments, only approximately 50 supported the withdrawal -- yet another clear disregard of the record by USDA in its latest attempt to kill this final rule.
USDA is withdrawing the rule based on its current interpretation of 7 U.S. C. 6905, citing that the OLPP rule exceeds USDA’s statutory authority. USDA wrongly alleges that the 도박 룰렛 Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) does not authorize the animal welfare provisions of the OLPP final rule, and, in doing so, cites definitions of 도박 룰렛 outside the law.
“It is notable that USDA cites the Merriam-Webster dictionary to justify a definition of ‘도박 룰렛,’” said Batcha. “Merriam-Webster also defines outdoor as ‘not enclosed; having no roof,’ and porches as ’a covered area…having a separate roof.’ 도박 룰렛 standards already require that 도박 룰렛 producers provide their animals access to the outdoors. So, by the assessment from Merriam-Webster, a source which USDA endorses in its official notice, porches are clearly not allowed in 도박 룰렛.”
The OLPP addresses four broad areas of 도박 룰렛 livestock and poultry practices: living conditions, animal healthcare, transport, and slaughter. The rule refines and clarifies a series of 도박 룰렛 animal welfare recommendations incorporated into the 도박 룰렛 Foods Production Act of 1990, which established the federal 도박 룰렛 regulations. Most importantly, it stops the use of “porches” from being allowed in 도박 룰렛 poultry production. This is a critical clarification of the existing 도박 룰렛 standards, and levels the playing field for 도박 룰렛 poultry producers.
“Since the filing of our lawsuit last September, a host of 도박 룰렛 stakeholders representing thousands of 도박 룰렛 farming families, 도박 룰렛 certifiers and 도박 룰렛 policymakers – along with leading animal welfare and retail groups speaking out for millions of consumers -- have joined our challenge,” added Batcha. “The 도박 룰렛 sector depends on USDA to set 도박 룰렛 standards fairly and according to the law. When USDA fails to do this, it is time for the 도박 룰렛 community to insist that it live up to its responsibility.”
For the complete background on this issue, see/livestockpractices.
The 도박 룰렛 Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for 도박 룰렛 agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the 도박 룰렛 trade in the United States, representing over 9,500 도박 룰렛 businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect 도박 룰렛 with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.