ORGANIC FARMING

Organic Standards for Animal Husbandry

Organic standards in livestock rearing has been well documented in National programme for Organic Production (NPOP). Following are expert recommendation of this report that every organic farmer need to comply in order to sell their product as "organic livestock product".

Animal Husbandry Management

NPOP standards strictly recommend that the management of the animal environment take into account the behavioural needs of the animals and necessitates in providing:

• Sufficient free movement, free air, natural daylight, enough resting area, ample access to freshwater and feed should be provided for the animals.
• Poultry and rabbits shall not be kept in cages and landless animal husbandry systems shall not be allowed.
• Adequate facilities for expressing behaviour in accordance with the biological and ethological needs of the species should be provided.

Length of Conversion Period

The establishment of organic animal husbandry requires an interim period, the conversion period is a prerequisite allowing,

• Animal products may be sold as "product of organic agriculture" only after providing the organic animal production standards have been met for the appropriate time.
• The length of time should be specified for which the animal production standards shall have been met. With regard to dairy and egg production this period shall not be less than 30 days.
• Animals present on the farm at the time of conversion may be sold for organic meat when the organic standards have been met for 12 months.

Brought-in Animals

All organic animals should be born and raised on the organic holding. Breeding stock may be brought in from conventional farms with a yearly maximum of 10% of the adult animals of the same species on the farm. When organic livestock is not available, brought-in conventional animals are allowed provided they are of the following age limits:

• 2 day old chickens for meat production
• 18 week old hens for egg production
• 2 week old for any other poultry
• piglets up to six weeks and after weaning
• calves up to 4 weeks old which have received colostrum and are fed a diet consisting mainly of full milk.

Breeds and Breeding

Breeds should be chosen which are adapted to local conditions.

• Although artificial insemination is allowed for breeding embryo transfer techniques, hormonal heat treatment and induced birth are not allowed.
• Similarly use of genetically engineered species or breeds

Mutilations

The animals distinctive characteristics should be respected.

• Mutilations such as castration, tail docking of lambs, dehorning, ringing, mulesing etc. are not allowed.

Animal Nutrition

Good quality, organically grown feed that is produced within the farm shall be offered to the animals in a form allowing them to execute their natural feeding behaviour and digestive needs.

• The feed and feed ingredients should strictly comply to international organic standards as directed by IFOAM.
• The following products shall not be included nor added to the feed given to farm animals:
• Synthetic growth promoters or stimulants
• Synthetic appetisers
• Preservatives, except when used as a processing aid
• Artificial colouring agents
• Urea
• Farm animal by-products (e.g. abattoir waste) to ruminants
• Droppings, dung or other manure (all types of excreata) even if technologically processed
• Feed subjected to solvent (e.g. hexane), extraction (soya and rape seed meal) or the addition of other chemical agents
• Pure amino acids
• Genetically engineered organisms or products thereof

Veterinary Medicine

• The use of conventional veterinary medicines are allowed when no other justifiable alternative is available. Where conventional veterinary medicines are used, the withholding period shall be at least double the legal period.
• Use of the following substances is prohibited :
• Synthetic growth promoters
• Substances of synthetic origin for production stimulation or suppression of natural growth
• Hormones for heat induction and heat synchronisation unless used for an individual animal against reproductive disorders, justified by veterinary indications

Transport and Slaughter

Handling of livestock during transport and slaughter should be calm and gentle and care should be taken to minimize stress by providing adequate space, feed, water and rest.

Cleaning and Disinfection of sheds

Organic dairy farming permits the use of cleaning and disinfecting agents viz., potassium and sodium soap, water and steam, lime, sodium hypochlorite, caustic potash, hydrogen peroxide, natural acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, alcohol, formaldehyde and sodium carbonate.

Organic Standards for Bee Keeping

The collection area should be organic and/or wild and should be as varied as possible to fulfill the nutritional needs of the colony and contribute to good health.

• The feed supplied should be fully organic.
• The foundation comb should be made from organic wax.
• Hives shall be situated in organically managed fields and/or wild natural areas. Hives shall not be placed close to fields or other areas where chemical pesticides and herbicides are used.
• Veterinary medicine shall not be used in bee keeping.
• When working with the bees (e.g. at harvest) no repellent consisting of prohibited substances shall be used.
• For pest and disease control and for hive disinfection products such as caustic soda, lactic, oxalic, acetic acid, formic acid, sulphur, etheric oils, bacillus thuringiensis are allowed.

International Standards

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, a joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program, began in 1991 (with participation of observer organizations such as IFOAM and the EU) elaborating guidelines for the production, processing, labelling and marketing of organically produced food. In animal husbandry sector, Codex guidelines are in line with IFOAM basic standards and the EU Regulation
for organic food. These guidelines define the nature of organic food production and prevent claims that could mislead consumers about the quality of the product or the way it was produced.

Codex Alimentarius guidelines

1. Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods

Last updated: 04-1-2008