A few days ago there was an interesting article in the LA Times about how organic dairy rules seem to be changing for the better. Here's more information in case you missed it...
U.S. is satisfying a hunger for tougher organic meat and milk rules
New federal rules that define what makes milk and meat organic have natural food advocates optimistic that the government is committed to ensuring the label means something.
U.S. consumers bought $24 billion worth of organic products in 2008. But for many, the purchases came with uncertainty about what they were getting for their money.
"During the Clinton and the Bush administrations there wasn't a lot of teeth in the enforcement aspect of it," said Tom Willey, 61, an organic fruit and vegetable farmer in Madera, Calif. "Things have kind of been in a morass as far as enforcement for a number of years, but now we're very hopeful that will change."
The optimism is based on U.S. Department of Agriculture rules announced Feb. 12 that require livestock to be grazed on pasture for at least four months a year to qualify for an organic meat or dairy label. The animals also must get at least 30% of their feed from grazing. Previous rules required only that animals have "access to pasture."
Full article:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-organic3-2010mar03,0,5484244.story"