Until now, where animal welfare was concerned, the organic label has been pretty much meaningless when applied to milk. Several of the largest organic dairies are indistinguishable from factory farms in terms of confinement and overall conditions—they just avoid BGH and they feed their cows organic grains.
But a new USDA rule is going to require that organic milk comes from cows who are allowed to graze pasture at least 120 days a year. This is a big deal. A lot of people pay extra for organic milk under the false belief that it guarantees better welfare. Starting in June, the organic label will be a reliable way to avoid supporting some of the worst factory farming cruelties perpetrated by the dairy industry.
Of course, even when it’s produced by animals who are allowed to graze pasture, organic milk is every bit as connected to the veal industry as is conventional milk. Putting cows on pasture does nothing to address the fact that these animals constantly give birth to male calves, who are typically sold for a pittance to veal producers. (Via Crossfield.) Link.
