New
Draft Regulations on Organic Production (October 2001)
Section
6: Standards
for organically produced animals and products thereof
(1)
Organically produced animals shall be produced from the following:
(a)
Organic livestock when available and in the choice of breeds or strains
account must be taken of the capacity of the animals to adapt to local
conditions, their vitality and resistance to disease, and specific diseases or
health problems associated with some breeds or strains used in intensive
production must be avoided.
(b)
Breeds that can both copulate and give birth naturally.
(c)
Artificial insemination is allowed.
(d)
Embryo transfer techniques and other forms of assisted reproduction are
not allowed.
(e)
When a herd or flock is constituted for the first time and organic
livestock is not available, permission may be given for allowing brought-in
conventional animals according to the following age limits:
(i)
Chickens for meat production less than three days old.
(ii)
18 week old hens for egg production.
(iii)
Two week old birds for any other poultry.
(iv)
Piglets as soon as they are weaned and must weigh less than 25 kg.
(v)
Calves as soon as they are weaned and must be less than six months old,
or up to four weeks old when they have received colostrum and are fed a diet
consisting mainly of unaltered milk.
(vi)
Ewes and goats as soon as they are weaned and must be less than 45 days
old.
(vii)
Horses as soon as they are weaned and must be less than six months old.
(f) Permission may be given for bringing in breeding stock from conventional
operations when organically reared animals are not available, with a yearly
maximum of 10% of adult equine or bovine livestock and 20% of the adult porcine,
ovine and caprine livestock: Provided
that for breeding units with less than 10 equine or bovine animals or less than
five porcine, ovine or caprine animals, a maximum of one animal per year may be
allowed.
(g)
The percentages mentioned in subregulation (1)(f) may be increased up to
40% following the opinion and agreement of the approved certifying organisation,
in the following special cases --
(i) when a major
extension to the stockfarm is undertaken;
(ii) when a breed is changed; or
(iii) when a new livestock specialisation is developed.
(h) The brought-in conventional animals mentioned in subregulation (1)(e),
(f) and (g) shall be subject to the conversion periods prescribed for the
animals in subregulation (3)(c).
(i)
All brought-in conventional animals must come from extensive husbandry
practices.
(2)
Organically produced animals shall comply with the following
production practices:
(a)
Management of the animal environment shall take into
account the behaviours and needs of the animals and provides for:
(i)
Access to grazing appropriate to the type of animal and season: Provided that when grazing can't be provided the animals
shall have access to open air appropriate to the type of animal and season,
taking into account their age and condition.
(ii)
Sufficient free movement in free-range, open-air exercise areas or open
air runs, which may be partially covered.
(iii)
Sufficient fresh air and natural daylight according to the needs of the
animals.
(iv)
Protection against excessive sunlight, temperatures, rain and wind
according to the needs of the animals and the local weather conditions.
(v)
Stock densities in buildings shall be such as to allow adequate area
according to the needs of the animals such as standing, lying, grooming,
turning around, stretching and wing flapping.
(vi)
Natural materials shall be used for animals requiring bedding and ample
dry bedding should be provided in the rest area.
(vii)
Ample access to water and feed according to the needs of the animals.
(viii)
Adequate facilities for expressing behaviour in accordance with the
biological and ethological needs of the species.
(ix)
No construction materials or production equipment shall be used in a way
that may significantly harm human and animal health.
(x)
Poultry, rabbits and pigs shall not be kept in cages.
(xi)
Herd animals shall not be kept individually.
(xii)
Keeping livestock tethered is forbidden.
(xiii)
Housing construction must ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature,
relative humidity and gas concentration are kept within limits not harmful to
the animals: Provided that housing
is not mandatory in areas with appropriate climatic conditions.
(xiv)
The minimum surface areas for perches, indoor housing and outdoor
exercise areas are laid down in Annexure IV.
(xv)
Herbivores must have access to grazing/pastures whenever conditions
allows.
(xvi)
At least half the floor area of livestock housing must be solid, not of
slatted or of grid construction and the floors must not be slippery:
Provided that the area may be reduced to one third for poultry.
(xvii)
Calves may not be housed in individual boxes after the age of one week.
(xviii)
Sows must be kept in groups except in the last stages of pregnancy and
during the suckling period and piglets may not be kept on flat decks or in
piglet cages.
(xix)
The exercise areas for pigs must permit dunging and rooting by the
animals.
(xx)
Water fowl must have access to a stream, pond or lake.
(xxi)
Poultry houses/buildings must have exit/entry pop-holes of adequate size
for the birds and the pop-holes must have a combined length of at least 4 m per
100 m² of the house/building.
(xxii)
Each poultry house/building may not contain more than 4 800 chickens, 3 000
laying hens, 5 200 guinea fowl, 4 000 female muscovy and peking ducks, 3 200
male Muscovy or Peking ducks or other ducks, 2 500 capons, geese or turkeys and
the total usable area of poultry houses/buildings for meat production on any
single production unit must not exceed 1 600 m².
(xxiii) Poultry buildings must be emptied of livestock between each batch of
poultry reared, cleaned and disinfected and the vegetation must be emptied in
order for the vegetation to grow back.
(b)
Landless animal husbandry operations shall not be allowed.
(c)
When natural day length is prolonged by artificial lighting maximum hours
respective to species, geographical considerations and general health of animals,
shall be used: Provided that for
poultry a maximum of 16 hours light per day is permitted followed by a
continuous nocturnal rest period without artificial lighting for at least 8
hours.
(d)
Physical castration is allowed.
(e)
Mutilation shall not be allowed, with possible exceptions for castration,
tail docking of lambs, dehorning and ringing:
Provided that suffering shall be minimised, anaesthetics used where
appropriate, operations are carried out at the most appropriate age and the
treatments are intended to improve the health, welfare or hygiene of the
animals.
(f)
The allowed feed and substances used in feeding stuffs as well as the
fodder preservatives and processing aids for silage are indicated in Annexure
V.
(g)
Animals should be fed 100% organic feed:
Provided that --
(i)
at least 50% of the feed shall come from the operation itself or be
produced in co-operation with other organic operations in the region;
(ii)
Up to 30% of the feed formula or rations on average may comprise
in-conversion feed or up to 60% if the feed comes from the operation
itself.
(iii)
feed from conventional operation origin may be allowed, in
situations where it is impossible to obtain adequate organic feed, to a
maximum of 10% dry matter for ruminants and 20% dry matter for non-ruminants
(calculated on an annual basis); and
(iv)
At least 60% of the dry matter in daily rations of herbivores shall
consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage.
(v)
Roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage must be added to the
daily ration for pigs and poultry.
(vi)
The feed formula used in the fattening stage of poultry must
contain at least 65% cereals.
(h)
The following products shall not be included in, nor added to the feed or
in any other way be given to the animals:
(i)
Synthetic appetisers.
(ii)
Preservatives, except when used as processing aids.
(iii)
Artificial colouring agents.
(iv)
Urea.
(v)
Farm animal by-products, with the exception of those listed in
Annexure V.
(vi)
Droppings, dung or other manure.
(vii)
Feed subjected to solvent extraction or the addition of other
chemical agents.
(viii)
Pure amino acids.
(ix)
Substances such as antibiotics, coccidiostatics, medical substances,
growth promoters for production stimulation or suppression of natural
growth.
(x)
Hormones for heat induction and heat synchronisation unless used for
an individual animal against reproductive disorders, justified by veterinary
indications.
(i)
Force feeding is forbidden.
(j)
Young stock from mammals shall be raised on organic milk, preferably from
their own species.
(k)
Minimum weaning times shall be --
(i) three months for bovines and equidae;
(ii) 45 days for sheep and goats;
and
(iii)
40 days for pigs.
(l)
Disease prevention shall be based on the following:
(i) The selection of appropriate breeds or
strains of animals.
(ii) The application of animal husbandry practices
appropriate to the requirements of each species.
(iii)
The use of high quality feed, together with regular exercise and
access to pasturage.
(iv) Assuring an appropriate density of livestock.
(m)
The well-being of the
animals is the primary consideration in the choice of illness treatment and a
sick or injured animal must be treated immediately.
(n)
The use of
veterinary medicinal products shall comply with the following:
(i) Phytotherapeutic, homeopathic and trace
elements and other substances listed in Part 3 of Annexure V, shall be
used in preference to chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary
medicinal products or antibiotics.
(ii) If the products in (n)(i) are not, or is unlikely to be, effective
in combating illness or injury, chemically-synthesised allopathic
veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics may be used under the
responsibility of a veterinarian.
(iii)
The use of chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal
products or antibiotics for preventive treatment is prohibited.
(iv) The use of substances to promote growth or
production, the use of hormones and similar substances to control growth
or reproduction, are prohibited: Provided
that the substances may be used for an individual animal against
reproductive disorders, justified by veterinary indications.
(v) When veterinary medicinal products are used
it must be recorded together with the details of the diagnosis, method of
administration, duration of treatment and legal withdrawal period.
(vi) Livestock treated must be clearly identified,
individually in the case of large animals and individually or by batch in
the case of poultry and small animals.
(vii)
Vaccinations, treatments for parasites as well as legally required
veterinary treatments to animals, buildings, equipment and facilities
shall be allowed, including cases where a disease has been recognised as
present in a specific area and these treatments may include genetically
modified organisms and products derived from such organisms.
(viii)
When allopathic veterinary medicinal products are used the withdrawal
period shall be at least double the legal period or at least 48 hours when
no withdrawal period is specified.
(ix) With the exception of the treatments as
indicated in (n)(vii), where an animal or a group of animals receive more
than two courses of treatments with chemically-synthesised allopathic
veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics within one year, the
animals must again undergo the prescribed conversion periods.
(3)
Organically produced animals and the land and feed associated with their
production shall be subject to the following conversion practices:
(a)
The conversion
periods for products from plant origin, as prescribed in regulation 5(3),
shall apply to pastures, meadows, land and their products used for feed and
grazing.
(b)
The conversion period
shall be reduced to one year for pastures, open air runs and exercise areas used
by non-herbivore species: Provided
that the conversion period can be reduced to six months by the certifying
organisation if guarantees/proof can be obtained that the conversion practices
have been met.
(c)
Animal products can be certified organic after the animals on the
operation or relevant part thereof has been under conversion for at least --
(i) Nine months in the case of equidae and
bovines for meat production;
(ii) six months in the case of small ruminants and
pigs;
(iii)
six months in the case of animals for milk production;
(iv) 10 weeks for poultry for meat production,
brought in before they are three days old;
and
(v) six weeks in the case of poultry for egg
production.
(4)
Organically produced animals shall be transported and slaughtered as
follows:
(a)
The handling during transport and slaughter shall be gentle without the
use of electric sticks and such instruments.
(b)
Slaughter and transportation standards shall take into consideration:
(i)
Stress caused to the animal.
(ii)
Fitness of the animal.
(iii)
Loading and unloading.
(iv)
Mixing different groups of animals or animals of different sex.
(v)
Quality and suitability of mode of transport and handling
equipment.
(vi)
Temperature and relative humidity.
(vii)
Hunger and thirst.
(viii)
Specific needs of each animal.
(c)
No chemically or synthesised tranquillisers or sedatives or stimulants
shall be given prior to or during transport.
(d)
Each animal or group of animals shall be identifiable during transport
and slaughter.
(e)
Slaughterhouse journey times shall not exceed eight hours.
(f)
For poultry, the minimum age at slaughter shall be --
(i)
81 days for chickens;
(ii) 150 days for capons;
(iii) 49 days for Peking ducks;
(iv)
70 days for female Muscovy ducks;
(v)
84 days for male Muscovy ducks;
(vi)
92 days for Mallard ducks;
(vii)
94 days for guinea fowl;
(viii) 140 days for turkeys and roasting geese;
and
(ix)
where producers do not apply these minimum slaughter ages, they
must use slow-growing strains.
(5)
Livestock manure shall be handled as follows:
(a)
Stocking density shall be such that the total amount of manure applied
per hectare shall not exceed 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/hectare of agricultural
area used.
(b)
The density of livestock equivalent to 170 kg of Nitrogen per
year/hectare is given in Annexure VI to be used as a guideline.
(c)
Storage facilities for livestock manure must be of a capacity to prevent
the pollution of water by direct discharge or by run-off or infiltration of the
soil.
(6)
Organic livestock and livestock products shall be identified at all
stages of their production, preparation, transport and marketing.
_________________________________________________________________________
Go to Annexure
IV: Minimum areas for livestock
Or go to Annexure
V: Feeds for livestock
Or go to Annexure
VI: Density of livestock per hectare
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section: Standards for bee
keeping