USDA extents use of methionine in organic poultry
The US Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has announced an amendment to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The amendment extends the use of methionine in organic poultry production.
Published in the Federal Register as an interim rule with request for comments, it extends the allowance for methionine in organic poultry production until Oct. 1, 2012.
Maximum allowable limits of methionine per short ton of feed were set at:
– 4 pounds for layers (2kg/tonne),
– 5 pounds for broilers (2.5kg/tonne), and
– 6 pounds for turkeys and all other poultry (3kg/tonne).
This interim rule is based upon a recommendation by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on April 12, 2010.
Methionine is naturally present in organic poultry feed, but the amount is not sufficient to maintain optimal health of the birds.
The NOSB determined that the loss of the use of synthetic methionine would disrupt the organic poultry market and cause substantial economic hardship to organic poultry operations.
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