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comments are encouraged and welcomed. Formal comments can be submitted by visiting <br />regulations.gov, and searching for "AMS organic livestock poultry." <br />Livestock and Poultry Production Questions <br />How does the rule set space requirements for poultry? <br />AMS is proposing to measure stocking density using weight (i.e., maximum pounds per square foot) to <br />compensate for different -sized avian species and breeds. This allows AMS to establish one maximum <br />stocking rate that can be applied to all poultry raised, including chicken and quail for example, and <br />avoids setting separate stocking rates for each type of bird or breed. <br />What are the proposed indoor and outdoor space requirements for organic poultry operations? <br />The proposed indoor stocking densities for layers allow a maximum of 3.0 — 4.5 pounds of hen per <br />square foot of indoor space depending on the housing type. The levels AMS is proposing are consistent <br />with standards established by third -party animal welfare certification programs (such as Certified <br />Humane and American Humane Certified) and their scientific committees. <br />Outdoor space for poultry is a maximum of 2.25 pounds of hen per square foot for layers; 5.0 pounds of <br />hen per square foot for broilers. The outdoor areas will need to have at least 50 percent soil. In addition, <br />porches (screened, roofed areas attached to the poultry house) will not count as outdoor space. <br />Therefore, some operations may need to access additional land in order to comply with this outdoor <br />space requirement. <br />Why do the indoor poultry space requirements differ from the NOSB recommendations? <br />AMS considered the NOSB recommendations regarding the indoor space requirements as well as animal <br />welfare certification programs developed by scientific committees.' These animal welfare certification <br />standards varied from a minimum of 1.0 square feet per bird in aviaries and pasture systems to 1.8 <br />square feet per hen with no more than 500 hens per barn. In addition, AMS obtained comments from <br />various producer, certifying agent, and trade groups. Producers in colder climates stated that <br />maintaining a warm indoor temperature during the winter is much more difficult with a 2.0 square foot <br />minimum requirement for indoor space. Producers with aviaries cited the scientific committees' <br />findings that aviaries provided enhanced welfare due to birds being able to utilize vertical space to <br />engage in natural behaviors. Producers with slatted/mesh floors cited the reduced welfare concerns <br />from lameness by keeping the litter drier. <br />To better align with current scientific consensus, AMS is proposing varying the space density <br />requirements by housing type. AMS welcomes your comments about the proposed indoor space <br />requirements and the potential impacts to the organic market. <br />1 AMS reviewed the following animal welfare certification programs: Certified Humane (Humane Farm Animal Care); Animal Welfare Approved; <br />Animal American Humane Certified (American Humane Association); 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Program (Global Animal Partnership); and <br />United Egg Producers Certified. <br />April 6, 2016 <br />