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FDA Proposal Could Close Organic Free-Range Chicken Farms
All chickens will be raised indoors, if the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has its way.
The federal agency is now targeting pastured poultry, free-range chickens — and even the eggs the hens produce. Owners of small farms seem to have been under attack in recent years, with an ever-evolving set of regulations and obstacles thwarting the efforts of small agricultural businesses across the United States.
The FDA is threatening to do away with pastured poultry and free-range chickens to help reduce the threat of salmonella. A document recently released by the federal agency – titled “Questions and Answers Regarding the Final Rule, Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation” — pushes for all egg producers with at least 3,000 laying hens be forced to raise the poultry indoors. The FDA rule requires that chickens always be kept away from mice, rats and wild birds. The agency believes that such a rule would eliminate customer access to eggs and birds contaminated with bacteria.
Cameron Molberg, general manager of egg production at Coyote Creek Farm in Elgin, Texas, told NPR the rules could put the free-range farm out of business. He tests the farm for salmonella and has found none.
Source: http://www.offthegridnews.com/2013/09/16/fda-proposal-could-close-organic-free-range-chicken-farms/
