Minneapolis (AP) - A long struggle over what kind of milk counts as organic is coming to a head.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently issued draft rules that would require that the cows be on pasture at least half the year and get plenty of fresh grass. 

The proposals are meant to close a loophole that allows some huge feedlots to sell their milk as organic, even though their cows rarely if ever get to graze on fresh grass. 

Advocates for family farms and consumers say that's not what shoppers think they're buying when they pay a premium for organic milk. 

Ronnie Cummins of the organic consumers association is among those welcoming the proposed new rules, calling them long overdue. 

The public comment period on the draft rules runs through December 23.
 

Related Links:

Federal register notice on proposed pasture rule:

Http://www.ams.usda.gov/amsv1.0/getfile?ddocname=stelprdc5073426&acc
T=noprulemaking

The Cornucopia Institute: http://www.cornucopia.org

Organic Consumers Association: http://www.organicconsumers.org

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