USDA to Extend the Allowance for Synthetic Methionine in Organic Poultry Production
News Date August 25, 2010
In response to a recommendation submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the USDA has published an interim rule with a request for comments amending the Department's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The interim rule revises the annotation of the substance, Methionine, on the National List to extend its use in organic poultry production until October 1, 2012. The interim rule becomes effective October 1, 2010 and allows synthetic Methionine to continue to be used at the following maximum levels per ton of feed: Laying chickens-4 pounds; broiler chickens-5 pounds; turkeys and all other poultry-6 pounds.
Comments are requested on this interim rule. All comments received by October 25, 2010 will be considered prior to the issuance of a final rule. The agency will publish the final rule no later than March 2011.
On April 29, 2010, the NOSB also recommended to extend the allowance for synthetic Methionine beyond October 1, 2012, to October 1, 2015, and decrease the maximum level of synthetic Methionine permitted per ton of feed ration to the following levels: 2 pounds for laying and broiler chickens, and 3 pounds for turkeys and all other poultry. The NOSB further recommended that consideration of synthetic Methionine after its anticipated October 1, 2015 expiration should take place through the Board's sunset review process rather than through the petition process. The Secretary intends to incorporate the NOSB's recommended reductions in allowable levels in a subsequent rulemaking to address the allowance for synthetic Methionine for the period between October 1, 2012, and October 15, 2015. (Contact: Amy Mann)