Rules

5.1 This includes: livestock and livestock products from the following species; bovine (including bubalus and bison species) porcine, ovine, caprine, equidae, poultry, ratites and cervine.

5.1.1 Livestock production must contribute to the equilibrium of agricultural production systems by providing for the nutrient requirements of crops and by improving the soil’s organic matter.  It can thus help establish and maintain soil-plant, plant- animal and animal-soil interdependence.

By utilising renewable natural resources (eg. livestock manure, legumes and fodder crops), the cropping/stock farming system and the pasturage systems allow soil fertility to be maintained and improved in the long term and thus contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture.

5.1.2 In order to minimise environmental pollution of natural resources, in particular, soil and water, organic production of livestock must in principle provide for a close relationship between such production and the land. Suitable multi annual rotation systems and the feeding of livestock with organic crop products produced on the holding itself is desired.

5.1.3 In order to prevent pollution of water by nitrogenous compounds, organic livestock holdings must have appropriate storage capacity and plans for the spreading of solid and liquid livestock effluents.

5.1.4 A wide biological diversity should be encouraged and the choice of breeds must take account of their capacity to adapt to local conditions.

5.1.5 In organic stock farming, all livestock on one and the same production unit must be reared in accordance with the rules laid down in this Standard.

5.1.6 However, livestock not reared in accordance with the provisions of this Standard may be present on the holding provided they are reared on units where the buildings and land parcels are separated clearly from the units producing in accordance with the rules of this Standard, and a different species is involved.

5.1.7 Animals not reared in accordance with these Rules can use, for a limited period of time each year, the pasture of complying organic units, provided that such animals have had normal access to pastoral grazing (and not intensive husbandry). Other animals reared for organic production are not to be present on this pasture at the same time. This procedure must be authorised beforehand by the TPA. Guidelines on stocking density where animal manure from the operation is spread on pasture are set out in Table 8.

5.1.8 In order to provide for the basic nutritional requirements of the livestock, certain minerals, trace elements and vitamins may need to be used under well defined conditions.

5.1.9 Animal health management must mainly be based on prevention, by measures such as appropriate selection of breeds and strains, a balanced high-quality diet and a favourable environment, with particular regard to rearing density, livestock housing and husbandry practices.

5.1.10 The preventative use of chemically-synthesised allopathic medicinal products is not permitted in organic farming.

5.1.11 However, when animals become sick or injured, they must be treated immediately by giving preference to phytotherapeutic or homeopathic medicinal products and by limiting to a strict minimum the use of chemically synthesised allopathic treatments in order to guarantee the integrity of organic production in the eyes of consumers. Restrictive measures must be taken such as doubling the withdrawal period of the animal/s after use of chemically synthesised allopathic medicinal products.

5.1.12 Organic stockfarming is a land-related activity, except where authorised by way of exception in this Standard. Livestock must have access to a free-range area and the number of animals per unit of area must be limited to ensure integrated management of livestock and crop production on the production unit, so minimising any form of pollution, in particular of the soil and of surface and ground water. The number of livestock must be closely related to the area available in order to avoid problems of over-grazing and erosion and to allow for the spreading of livestock manure so that any adverse effect on the environment can be avoided. Detailed rules on the use of livestock manure are set out in Section 5.8. The certification body may allow the feeding of animals with carried fresh fodder if this is a more sustainable way to use land resources than grazing. Animal welfare shall not be compromised.

5.1.13 Housing for all species of livestock must satisfy the needs of the animals concerned as regards ventilation, light, space and comfort.  Sufficient area must accordingly be provided to permit ample freedom of movement for each animal and to develop the animals' natural social behaviour.

5.1.14 Systematic operations, which lead to stress, harm, disease or the suffering of animals during the production, handling, transport or slaughtering stages should be reduced to the minimum. However, specific interventions essential to certain types of production can be permitted. The use of certain substances to stimulate growth or modify their breeding cycles is not compatible with the principles of organic farming.

5.1.15 The special features of beekeeping call for specific provisions, in particular to ensure that sources of pollen and nectar of adequate quality are available in sufficient quantities.

5.1.16 All operators marketing products of organically reared livestock must be subject to regular and uniform inspections; a register should be kept accessible at the holding and updated with details of livestock arriving at and leaving the holding and any treatments administered to the livestock.

5.1.17 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products derived from them are not compatible with the organic production methods. In order to maintain consumer confidence in organic production, genetically modified organisms, parts thereof and products derived there from must not be used in products labelled as from organic production.

Genetic Engineering

5.1.18 The deliberate use or negligent introduction of genetically engineered organisms or their derivatives to organic farming systems or products is prohibited. This shall include animals, seed, propagation material, and farm inputs such as fertilizers, soil conditioners, vaccines or crop protection materials.

5.1.19 The use of genetically engineered organisms or their derivatives is prohibited. This shall include animals, seed and farm inputs such as fertilizers, soil conditioners, vaccines or crop protection materials.

5.1.20 The use of genetically engineered seeds, pollen, transgene plants or plant material is not allowed.

Definitions

5.2 Livestock production means the production of domestic or domesticated terrestrial animals (including insects) and aquatic species farmed in fresh, salt or brackish water. The products of hunting and fishing of wild animals shall not be considered as from organic production.