Appendix IV. Draft Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods Livestock and Livestock Products (at Step 6 of the Procedure)

SECTION 1. SCOPE

1.1 These guidelines apply to the following products which carry, or are intended to carry, descriptive labelling referring to organic production methods:

(a) unprocessed plants and plant products, livestock and livestock products, and

2.1 Description

Add the following:

...The basis for organic livestock husbandry is the development of a harmonious relationship between land and livestock, and respect for the physiological and behavioural needs of livestock. This is achieved by a combination of providing good quality organically grown feedstuffs, appropriate stocking rates, livestock husbandry systems appropriate to behavioural needs, and animal management practices that minimize stress and seek to promote health and prevent disease.

livestock means any domestic or domesticated animal including bovine (including buffalo and bison), ovine, porcine, caprine, equine, poultry and bees raised for food or in the production of food. [The products of hunting or fishing of wild animals shall not be considered part of this definition.]

veterinary drug means any substance applied or administered to any food-producing animal, such as meat or milk-producing animals, poultry, fish or bees, whether used for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic purposes or for modification of physiological functions or behaviour[17].

ANNEX 1

B. Livestock and livestock products

General Principles

1. Where livestock for organic production are maintained, they should be an integral part of the organic farm unit and should be raised and held according to these guidelines.

2. Livestock can make an important contribution to an organic farming system by:

(a) improving and maintaining the fertility of the soil;
(b) managing the flora through grazing;
(c) diversifying the biology and interactions of the farm; and
(d) increasing the diversity of the farming system.

- The competent authority may allow exceptions in certain circumstances, providing the welfare of the animals can be guaranteed, for example:

.. where the structure of the organic unit prevents access to pasture, as occurs in certain (traditional) farming systems, or

.. where the feeding of animals with carried fresh fodder is a more sustainable way to use land resources than grazing.

Livestock Sources/Origin and Conversion

5. The selection of breeds and strains [and breeding methods] should be consistent with the principles of organic farming, taking into account:

a) their adaptation to the local conditions;

b) their vitality and resistance to disease;

c) the absence of specific diseases or health problems associated with some breeds and strains (porcine stress syndrome, spontaneous abortion etc).

- Livestock may not be transferred between organic and non-organic units. Countries can establish detailed rules for the purchase of livestock from other units complying with these guidelines.

a) high mortality of animals caused by [health or] catastrophic circumstances;

b) [until 2005] for considerable expansion of the farm, when a breed is changed or when new livestock specialization is developed. In these cases [no more than 40% of] the livestock that are being introduced may come from non-organic sources;

c) for the renewal of a herd, up to 10% of adult equine or bovine livestock and 20% of adult porcine, ovine and caprine livestock as a femalle nulliparus [bred/non bred];

d) males for breeding;

e) for the commencement of the organic activity and/or during a transitional period expiring December 2005;

f) for poultry for meat production, pullets for egg production and pigs for meat production during a transitional period expiring December 2005.

9. The conversion of the land intended for feeding crops or pastures must comply with the rules set out in Part A, paragraphs 1,2, and 3 of this Annex.

10. If livestock products are to be sold as organic, the livestock must be reared according to these guidelines for at least the conversion periods indicated in Schedule 1.

11. The competent authorities may reduce the conversion periods or conditions established in paragraph 9 (for the land) and/or paragraph 10 (for the livestock and livestock products) in the following cases:

a) pasture, open air runs and exercise areas used by non-herbivore species;

b) for bovine, ovine and caprine coming from extensive husbandry during a transitional period expiring end of 2005 or dairy herds converted for the first time;

c) if there is simultaneous conversion of the complete production unit (livestock and land used for feeding) the livestock conversion period may be reduced to two years only in the case where the existing livestock and their offspring are fed mainly with products from the unit.

Species and types of production.	Livestock not complying with these Guidelines
	Conversion period	Conditions
Bovine and equine
1. Meat production	[12 months]	3/4 of lifespan in organic farming, as soon as they are weaned and less than 6 months old (except for derogation in paragraph 11b)
	[12 months]	Livestock with lifespan longer than 1 year and brought in less than 5 weeks old
	[6 months]	As soon as they are weaned and less than 6 months old.
2. Milk production	[12 months]	80% organic feed during 9 months and 100% organic feed for 3 months (only herds converted for the first time, see 11b).
	[12 weeks]	??
	[30 days]	??
Ovine and caprine
1. Meat production	[6 months]	As soon as they are weaned and less than 45 day old.
	[6 months]	2/3 lifespan in organic farming when lifespan is longer than 1 year.
2. Milk production	[6 months]	As soon as they are weaned and less than 45 days old.
	[12 months]	80% organic feed during 9 months and 100% organic feed for 3 months.
	[12 weeks]	??
	[30 days]	??
Porcine
Meat	[6 months]	As soon as they are weaned and weigh less than 25 kg or [ 45 days old].
Poultry/laying hens
1. Meat	[10 weeks]	Less than 7 days old.
2. Eggs	[6 weeks]	Less than 18 weeks old
	[30 days]	??

Nutrition

12. All livestock systems should provide the optimum level of 100% of the diet from feedstuffs (including ‘in conversion’ feedstuffs) produced to the requirements of these guidelines. When regionally available, the livestock should be fed 100% organically grown food.

13. [Until 2005,] where an operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the official or officially recognized inspection/certification body that feedstuffs satisfying the requirement outlined in paragraph 12 above are not available, the inspection/certification body may allow feedstuff not produced according to these guidelines providing it does not contain genetically modified organisms or products thereof.

- Livestock products will maintain their organic status providing feed consisting of at least 85% for ruminants and 80% for non-ruminants, calculated on a dry matter basis, is from organic sources produced in compliance with these guidelines.

- minerals and trace elements;
- molasses;
- kelp;
- stone meal and charcoal;
- fish oils and other fish-by products;
- shells, cuttle fish bones;
- meatmeal consisting of no more that 2% of the total diet.

- the need of young mammals for natural, preferably maternal, milk;

- that a substantial proportion of dry matter in the daily rations of herbivores needs to consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage;

- the need for cereals in the fattening phase of poultry;

- roughage, fresh or dried fodder or silage in the daily ration for pigs and poultry.

- sea salt;
- coarse rock salt;
- yeasts;
- lactic, acetic, formic and propionic bacteria, or their natural acid product;
- enzymes;
- whey;
- sugar; or sugar products such as molasses;
- honey.

[18. If substances are used for the purpose of feedstuffs the following criteria should apply:

- they are necessary/essential to maintain animal health and vitality; and

- they contribute to an appropriate diet fulfilling the physiological and behavioural needs of the species concerned; and

- they are primarily of plant, mineral or animal origin provided that –

a) for herbivores the feeding of mammalian material, excluding milk or milk products, is prohibited, and

b) for non-herbivores meat meal should not be given to the same species;

- they are –

a) as found in nature and may have undergone only mechanical/physical processes (e.g. precipitation, extraction only with water but without chemical solvents, refining without chemical treatment), biological/enzymatic processes and microbial processes (e.g. fermentation), or

b) if substances included in a) above are not available in sufficient quantities, then other substances may be considered in exceptional circumstances, e.g. vitamins, trace elements (pure amino acids); and

- no synthetic nitrogen (e.g. urea) or non-protein nitrogen compounds are used; and

- they are not from materials and/or products derived from genetically engineered/modified organisms.

- additives or processing aids derived from genetically engineered/modified source are not permitted;

- synthetic products for the purpose of stimulating growth are not permitted;

- antioxidants: only natural sources are allowed;

- flavours and appetite stimulants: only natural sources are allowed;

- products against coccidiosis and histaminases are not permitted;

- emulsifier, stabilizers, thickeners: only natural sources are allowed;

- colouring agents (including pigments): only natural sources are allowed;

- preservatives: only organic acids for poultry feedstuff are allowed;

- vitamins and provitamines: natural sources are preferred. Use for the purpose of stimulating growth or production is not permitted;

- trace elements[18]: natural sources are preferred. Use for the purpose of stimulating growth or production is not permitted;

- binders, surfactants, anti-caking agents: only natural sources are permitted;

- probiotics are allowed;

- enzymes: are not allowed;

- antibiotics: are not allowed.]

Health Care

20. Management practices, feeding and selective breeding are the main tools to keep the livestock healthy and free from parasites and disease.

21. The use of veterinary drugs on livestock in the absence of illness is prohibited. Where specific disease or health problems occur and no alternative permitted treatment or management practice exists, or in cases required by law, vaccination of livestock and therapeutic use of veterinary drugs are permitted. Withdrawal periods required in either case should be double that required by legislation. [After 2005 the use of antibiotics will not be permitted for livestock or livestock product labelled as organic.]

22. If substances are used for the maintaining the health of the livestock, the following criteria should apply:

- they are essential in the advent of a disease outbreak provided that other biological, cultural, or physical treatments are not available;

- the conditions for their use do not directly or indirectly result in the presence of residues of the product in the edible parts, and

- their use does not result in, or contribute to, unacceptable effects on, or contamination of, the environment.

24. Synthetic vitamins, in the absence of natural source vitamins, pure amino acids and trace element supplements are permitted, providing they are not produced through gene technology, and are necessary to maintain health.

25. Hormonal treatment may only be used for therapeutic reasons and under veterinary supervision.

26. Growth stimulants or substances used for the purpose of stimulating growth or production are not permitted.

Livestock Husbandry, Transport and Slaughter

27. Maintenance of livestock should be guided by an attitude of care, responsibility and respect for living creatures.

28. Breeding methods should be in compliance with the principles of organic farming taking into account:

i) the breeds and strains suitable for raising under local conditions and under an organic system;

ii) the preference for reproduction through natural methods, although artificial insemination may be used;

iii) that embryo transfer techniques and the use of hormonal reproductive treatment may not be used;

iv) that breeding techniques employing genetic engineering must not be used.

- Physical castration is allowed in order to maintain the quality of products and traditional production practices (meat-type pigs, bullocks, capons, etc) but only under the conditions set out above.

- sufficient free movement and opportunity to express normal patterns of behaviour;

- company of other animals, particularly of like kind;

- the prevention of abnormal behaviour, injury and disease;

- arrangements to cover emergencies such as the outbreaks of fire, the breakdown of essential mechanical services and the disruption of supplies;

- sufficient fresh air and natural daylight according to the needs of the livestock;

- protection against excessive sunlight, temperature (e.g. use of evaporative cooling systems), rain and wind according to the needs of the livestock;

- ample access to fresh water of good quality and to feed to maintain the full health and vigour of the livestock.

32. The slaughter of livestock should be undertaken in a manner which minimizes stress and suffering, and in accordance with national rules.

[Housing and Free-Range Conditions

33. Housing conditions should meet the biological and behavioural needs of the livestock by providing:

- easy access to feeding and watering;

- insulation, heating, cooling and ventilation of the building to ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration are kept within limits which are not harmful to the livestock;

- plentiful natural ventilation and light to enter;

- provide for the comfort and well being of the livestock having regard for the species, the breed and the age of the livestock;

- take into account the behavioural needs of the livestock with respect to the size of the group and the sex of the livestock;

- provide them with sufficient space to stand naturally, lie down easily, turn round, groom themselves, assume all natural postures and movements, such as stretching and wing flapping.

36. Free-range, open-air exercise areas, or open-air runs should, if necessary, provide sufficient protection against rain, wind, sun and extreme temperatures, depending on the local weather conditions and the breed concerned.

37. The outdoor stocking density of livestock kept on pasture, grassland, or other natural or semi-natural habitats, must be low enough to prevent degradation of the soil and over grazing of vegetation.

Mammals

38. All mammals must have access to pasture or an open-air exercise area or run which may be partially covered, and they must be able to use those areas whenever the physiological condition of the animal, the weather conditions and the state of the ground permit.

39. The competent authority may grant exceptions for:

- the access of bulls to pasture or, in case of cows to an open-air exercise area or run during the winter period;

- the final fattening phase.

41. The housing must be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying/rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material must be provided in the rest area.

42. The housing of calves in individual boxes is not permitted. The tethering of livestock are not permitted without the approval of the competent authority.

43. Sows must be kept in groups, except in the last stages of pregnancy and during the suckling period. Piglets may not be kept on flat decks or in piglet cages. Exercise areas must permit dunging and rooting by the animals.

Poultry

44. Poultry must be reared in open-range conditions, have access to open-air run whenever the weather conditions permit and should not be kept in cages.

45. Water fowl must have access to a stream, pond or lake whenever the weather conditions permit.

46. Buildings for all poultry should provide:

- an area of solid construction;

- litter material such as straw, wood shavings, sand or turf;

- a sufficiently large part of the floor area must be available to laying hens for the collection of droppings;

- perches of a size and number commensurate with the size of the group and of the birds;

- exit/entry holes of an adequate size.

48. For health reasons, between each batch of poultry reared buildings should be emptied, and runs left empty to allow the vegetation to grow back..]

[Manure Management

49. Manure management practices used to maintain any area in which livestock are housed, penned or pastured should be implemented in a manner that:

i) minimizes soil and water degradation;

ii) does not significantly contribute to contamination of water by nitrates and pathogenic bacteria;

iii) optimizes recycling of nutrients; and

iv) does not include burning or any practice inconsistent with organic practices.

51. Manure application rates should be at levels that do not contribute to ground and/or surface water contamination. The timing of application and application methods should not increase the potential for run-off into ponds, rivers and streams.]

Record Keeping and Identification

52. In addition to requirements for written accounts as set down in Annex 3 of these Guidelines, the operator should maintain detailed and up-to-date records of:

i) breeding and/or origins of livestock;

ii) the health plan to be used in the prevention and management of disease, injury and reproductive problems;

iii) all treatments and medicines administered for any purpose, including quarantine periods;

iv) feed provided and the source of the feedstuffs;

v) stock movements within the unit;

vi) transportation, slaughter and/or sales.

Species Specific Requirements

a) Bees

54. Hives for beekeeping should be placed in:

i) areas where cultivated or spontaneous vegetation comply with the rules of production as set out in Section 4 of these guidelines, or

ii) areas designated by the inspection/certification body and which meet the conditions for organic production.

- Where unavailable, or in cases of extreme climatic or other extenuating circumstances, feed not satisfying these guidelines may be used.

i) the use of hardy breeds that adapt well to the local conditions;
ii) regular renewal of queen bees;
iii) regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment;
iv) destruction of contaminated materials;
v) regular renewal of beeswax; and
vi) availability in hives of sufficient pollen and honey.

ANNEX 3. MINIMUM INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES UNDER THE INSPECTION OR CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

A. Production units

5. Each year, before the date indicated by the inspection body, the operator should notify the official or officially recognized inspection/certification body of its schedule of production of crop products and livestock, giving a breakdown by land parcel/herd, flock or hive.

11. Where an operator runs several production units in the same area (parallel cropping), units in the area producing crop, crop products, livestock and livestock products not covered by Section 1 should also be subject to the inspection arrangements as regards the dash points of paragraph 4 and paragraphs 6 and 7 above. Plants of indistinguishable varieties as those produced at the unit referred to in paragraph 3 above should not be produced at these units.