Organic consumers’ expectations for high-quality animal welfare as an integral component of a certified operation extend beyond the existing rule. Clear, enforceable standards that assure consumers of organic operations’ commitment to excellent standards for animal care maintain the integrity of certification within the industry and marketplace. The NOP’s ability to build upon and adapt from widely-used third- party animal welfare certification standards is an effort to help implement changes without imposing undue recordkeeping burdens on organic farms.