Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: 1.If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. 2.Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. 3.Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. 4.Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. 5.Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: 1.If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. 2.Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. 3.Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. 4.Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. 5.Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards. Thank you, Ruthe Nepf

Please help to get the USA animal welfare standards to match the EU standards: 1. More space for animals to graze outdoors 2. Allow exposure to fresh air 3. Allow to graze 4. No abuse while transporting to slaughter facilities and definitely complete euthenasia before rendering a. feed and hydrate while being shipped to slaughter 5. Stop all unnecessary and degrading harming of stock animals of all types, including poultry. I am a vegetarian and would prefer that all farm animals be allowed to roam and feed naturally and be housed comfortably out of the elements and definitely not be abused when being transported to and while slaughtering. Idealistically I look forward to a possible future w/no necessity of having to slaughter animals for human consumption.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

please safeguard our farm animals from cruelty. it is only common sense and decent to care for our farm animals in a humane manner. after all, they provide our food and deserve decent treatment during their lives. nobody wants to buy meat that was tormented during its lifetime. animals living in dirty, crowded conditions are not healthy to eat. "The righteous man cares for the needs of his animal" thank you

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: 1. If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. 2. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. 3. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. 4. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. 5. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards. Sincerely, Jessica Underwood

Please prove more meaningful guidelines for assesing animal welfare To whom it may concern, I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards. Sincerely, Saskia Santos Gainesville, FL

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: 1.If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. 2.Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. 3.Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. 4.Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. 5.Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: 1.If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. 2.Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. 3.Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. 4.Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. 5.Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. -Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. -Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. -Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. -Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: 1.If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. 2.Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. 3.Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. 4.Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. 5.Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

keep the ammonium level at 10 percent.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

Animals like chicken and cows that are raised for meat deserve humane treatment even though they will be killed. Living things should not be made to suffer unnecessarily.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.

I am writing to comment on the Livestock Committee's proposed guidance documents for assessing animal welfare. While the proposed guidelines are a good step toward creating a comprehensive animal welfare program, they do not go far enough in bringing US organic standards into equivalency with the EU's standards. For this reason, I urge the Livestock Committee to provide more meaningful guidelines that better address issues like air quality, space allowances, euthanasia and slaughter. More specifically, I believe that: 1.If organic is to truly serve as a higher welfare alternative to conventional production, then ammonia levels at organic poultry facilities should be less than 10 ppm and corrective action must be taken if the level exceeds 15 ppm. 2.Minimum indoor and outdoor space allowances for turkeys, geese and ducks should be increased. 3.Force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras should be prohibited. 4.Guidance for poultry slaughter should recommend gas over electric stunning to avoid shackling of conscious birds. 5.Acceptable methods of euthanasia should be specified for sheep and bison as they have been for poultry. Making these modifications will increase animal welfare and help bring the care of animals under the organic program closer to what consumers expect of the label, and closer to achieving true equivalency with EU standards.