WASHINGTON, May 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture rescinded a clarification of organic food standards issued in April after an unexpected level of public concern.
Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman announced Wednesday the department was repealing changes that allowed antibiotics in dairy cows, certain chemical pesticides and the presence of non-organic fish meal in livestock feed, the New York Times reported.
"There has been a tremendous amount of interest in this, of concern about what it does," Veneman said. "This is an issue that has come up in the media over the past couple days. ... We are taking action to rescind what AMS (the Agricultural Marketing Service) had done."
U.S. officials failed to consult the National Organic Standards Board on the changes as required by law. Veneman reassured the public such consultations would take place in the future.
The action by the Agriculture Department came one day after Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who established the National Organic Program, circulated a letter in the Senate urging withdrawal of the changes.
