Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

Please find attached 2 sets of comments on (1)"Proposal on Animal Welfare and Stocking Rates" and (2)"Proposal on Animal Handling, Transit, and Slaughter" to the NOSB's Livestock Committee from the Animal Welfare Institute. File name 1: NOP_animal_welfare_issues.pdf File name 2: NOP Handling Transport Slaughter.pdf

I support, practice, and purchase organics. I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. 7. No GMOS or antibotics should be kept to a minumum unless an infection is present, especially on calves. docket number AMS-NOP-11-0014 Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals, docket number AMS-NOP-11-0014. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened.

Docket AMS-NOP-11-0014 I only shop for food items in organic stores or this section at supermarkets because of the inhumane treatment to animals raised for consumption. It is hard for the average consumer to understand what raised truly means and I sincerely thank the Livestock Committee for addressing this consern. I am against any form of dishonoring an animal which causes them greater pain than they already endure on a daily basis. All animals should be given space to move and sunlight daily. Animals which "go down" (polite term for horrid treatment) should be humanly euthanized at the earliest signs to give them justice. The treatment of our animals reflects us as a society and because they give the ultimate sacrifice they should be treated with care. Thank you for hearing my voice and I sincerely appreciate your attention to this most important matter.

RE: Docket number: AMS-NOP-11-0014 I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened. Sincerely, Sally Simpson

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened. Thank you knidly, Lisa Petrocelli

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's "Animal Welfare" and "Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter" proposals. The NOSB is to be commended for addressing the welfare of animals raised under the organic program. While the proposed recommendations represent a good start toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program for organic production, several important changes are needed: 1. The painful practice of dehorning should be prohibited. If disbudding is allowed, pain relief should be provided. 2. Minimum weaning ages for mammals should be added. 3. The proposed minimum space allowances, both indoor and outdoor, for growing pigs are seriously inadequate and offer no improvement over conventional production. 4. Transport under 7-10 days of age should not be allowed except for medical treatment and, in addition to cattle, this prohibition should apply to other ruminants and pigs as well. 5. The transport limit of 12 hours should be lowered to 6 hours for birds. 6. Non-ambulatory animals should never be transported off the farm for sale or slaughter, and animals who go down during transport or at the slaughterhouse should be promptly and humanely euthanized. Making these modifications will lessen animal suffering and help bring organic standards closer to what consumers expect of the label. The Livestock Committee's goal of making the organic seal "the gold standard" for humane treatment is commendable but can only be realized if the current recommendations are strengthened. I am a regular purchaser of organic products and an advocate of natural farming.

Please make the organic label include cruelty-free practices by the livestock industry. Those of us who are willing to pay more for organic food will also be willing to pay more to increase the quality of life for the animals we eat. Thank you.