U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership announced the USDA granted their request for an extension of the public comment period for the agency’s proposed rule regarding revised organic livestock and poultry production standards.

“We are pleased the USDA acted immediately to allow producers, consumers, retailers and animal health experts more time to offer their comments on the proposed rules,” the lawmakers said. “We will continue to work with the Department to address the concerns being raised by our constituents.”

In a letter to Secretary Vilsack dated May 26, 2016, Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., expressed multiple concerns with the proposed rule, urging USDA to address those concerns prior to publishing a final or interim final rule.

The comment period will be extended 30 days to July 13, 2016. Comments can be submitted here.