Rules for organic meat production:
* 100% organically produced feeds and allowed vitamin and mineral supplements.
* No use of growth promoters, hormones and antibiotics.
* No synthetic internal parasiticides on a routine basis.
* Meat animals raised on an organic operation from birth, second day of life for poultry and for dairy. Animals must be raised organically not less than 12 months immediately before sale of milk or milk products.
* Preventive management practices, including vaccines, would be used to keep animals healthy. Access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for ruminants.
* Temporary confinement only for reasons of health, safety or to protect soil and water quality.
* No re-feeding of animal parts or manure.
* Prohibition on the use of plastic pellets for feed and feed containing urea. Certified by a USDA-approved certification agent, including complete audit trail documents from birth through growing, processing and distribution in the market.
* Free-range USDA standards allow animals with access to the outdoors--even a small outdoor concrete pad--to be labeled "free range.":
