CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

DRAFT UKROFS STANDARDS FOR ORGANIC LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS

1. The Standards set by Regulation 1804/1999 are the minimum which must be complied with if livestock and livestock products are to be sold as organic within the EU. However, Regulation 1804/1999 enables each Member State to impose, on producers in its own territory, conditions on organic livestock production stricter than those which the Regulation itself prescribes. The UKROFS Board has considered the extent to which it is appropriate to do this and in general terms has concluded that the provisions of Regulation 1804/1999 ought not to be supplemented by stricter UK standards. But the Board proposes to retain certain provisions of existing UKROFS standards which go beyond the provisions of Regulation 1804/1999. Most notably it proposes to retain the requirement that, except for poultry, organic meat should come from stock born and raised entirely under organic management. The Board also proposes to provide interpretations of certain issues which appear to warrant clarification.

2. The Board invites comments generally on the draft organic Standards attached. In addition the Board invites comments on the following particular issues. (References are to the Sections and paragraphs in the draft Standards, which mirror those in Regulation 1804/1999.)

Section 1 - General Principles

3. The EU Regulation provides (in paragraph 1.6) that both organic and conventional stock of the same species may not be present on the same holding. So as to clarify what is meant by a holding the Board proposes that the term should be defined as a farming enterprise which is geographically, financially and operationally separate from other farming enterprises and which takes the form of a limited company.

4. The EU Regulation (paragraph 1.7) permits conventional stock to use organic pasture for a "limited period of time" each year. The Board proposes to restrict this to a maximum of 120 days in any one calendar year.

Section 2 - Conversion

5. The EU Regulation permits the conversion of animals for meat production (paragraph 2.2.1). However, existing UKROFS standards require meat animals to be born and raised under organic management. They also require that ewes, goats and sows producing meat animals must be mated on an organic holding, The Board proposes that these requirements should be retained. The Board invites views on the application of the rules on dairy cattle to suckler cows and on the effect of the rule that table poultry should be at least ten weeks old when slaughtered. These provisions also appear at paragraph 2.2.1.

6. The current UKROFS standards restrict simultaneous conversion of both land and livestock to beef and sheep enterprises. This restriction has been carried forward to the draft UKROFS Standards attached ( paragraph 2.3.1 ) but the Board invites views on whether other stock might be covered by the rules on simultaneous conversion as the EU Regulation would permit.

Section 3 - Origin of Animals

7. Current UKROFS Standards provide specifically for dealing with cattle deriving from herds in which BSE has been present, which the EU Regulation does not. The draft Standards proposed by the Board ( paragraph 3.1 ) include a modified version of the current UKROFS requirement, taking into account the existence of the Date-Based Export Scheme.

Section 4 - Feed

8. The OLSLG recommended that the figure of 60% should be set for the proportion of ruminant feed to be derived from the holding or linked holdings (paragraph 4.3). The Board accepts this recommendation

9. The Board invites comments on the provision in the EU Regulation ( paragraph 4.4 ) permitting up to 60% of organic rations to be made up of in-conversion feedingstuffs produced on the holding.

10. The Board invites comments on its proposal that the provisions of the EU Regulation specifying permitted quantities of conventional feed (paragraph 4.8) should be amplified by building into them, to the extent possible, the existing UKROFS limits on daily allowances for conventional feed.

Section 5 - Disease Prevention

11. The Board invites comments on its proposal to incorporate in the new Standards the provision of existing UKROFS Standards that a health plan for each holding be established ( paragraph 5.1.1), on its proposals for the control of the use of vaccines ( paragraph 5.4 (c)) and on the withdrawal periods it proposes when conventional medicines have been used ( paragraph 5.7).

12. Existing UKROFS Standards incorporate an explicit prohibition on the use of OPs. The Board invites comments on its proposal to carry this forward into the new Standards ( paragraph 5.5(c))

Section 6 - Husbandry Practices

13. The Board invites comments on its proposal to include existing UKROFS Standards on the transport of organic livestock ( paragraph 6.2).

14. The EU Regulation provides guidelines, at its Annex VII, on stocking rates compatible with the requirement that nitrogen loading shall not exceed 170kgN/ha per year. However, Member States may adjust the figures in Annex VII, subject to notifying such adjustments to the European Commission and the other Member States. The Board proposes that Annex VII to the Regulation should be adjusted as shown in Annex VII to the draft Standards attached.

Section 8 - Free Range Areas and Livestock Housing

15. The Board invites comments on the provision (paragraph 8.3.1) permitting the use of open air exercise areas and partially covered runs when pasture is not able to be used.

16. In respect of poultry, the Board proposes to take up the proposal from the OLSLG for defining what constitutes a poultry house( paragraph 8.4.3) and proposes to specify three months as the minimum period over which runs must be rested between batches of poultry ( paragraph 8.4.6).

17. Also on poultry, the Board proposes to permit inspection bodies to grant to individual producers derogations from the flock sizes and stocking densities specified for poultry in the Regulation, subject to a management plan being agreed which provides for achieving the permitted flock sizes and stocking densities by 24 August 2005.

April 2000

These Standards apply to livestock and livestock products from the following species: bovine (including bubalus and bison species), porcine, ovine, caprine, equidae, poultry.

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

1.1. Livestock production forms an integral part of many agricultural holdings practising organic farming.

1.2. 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. As part of this concept, landless production is not in conformity with the rules of these Standards.

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

1.4. Organic stockfarming is a land-related activity. Except where authorised by way of exception in these Standards, 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 7.

1.5. In organic stockfarming, all livestock on one and the same production unit must be reared in accordance with the rules laid down in these Standards.

1.6. However, livestock not reared in accordance with these Standards may be present on the holding provided they are reared on units where the buildings and parcels are separated clearly from the units producing in accordance with these Standards, and a different species is involved. For this purpose, a holding is a farming enterprise which is geographically, financially and operationally separate from other farming enterprises and which takes the form of a limited company.

1.7. By derogation from this principle, livestock not reared in accordance with the provisions of these Standards can use, for a limited period of time not exceeding 120 days each year, the pasturage of units complying with these Standards, provided that such animals come from extensive husbandry (as defined in Article 6(5) of Regulation (EC) No 950/97(^*) or, for other species not mentioned in that Regulation, the number of animals per ha corresponding to 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/hectare as defined in Annex VII of these Standards) and provided that other animals which are subject to the requirements of these Standards are not present on this pasturage at the same time. This derogation must be authorised beforehand by the inspection authority or body.

1.8. By way of a second derogation from this principle, animals reared in accordance with the provisions of these Standards may be grazed on common land, providing that:

(a) the land has not been treated with products other than those allowed for in these Standards, for at least 3 years;

(b) any animals which use the land concerned, which are not subject to the requirements of these Standards, are derived from extensive production, as defined in Article 6(5) of Regulation (EC) No 950/97; or, for other species not mentioned in that Regulation, the number of animals per ha corresponding to 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/hectare as defined in Annex VII of these Standards;

(c) any livestock products produced by animals reared in accordance with the provisions of these Standards, whilst using this land, shall not be regarded as being from organic production, unless adequate segregation from other animals not complying with the requirements of these Standards, can be proved to the satisfaction of the inspection authority or body.

 

2. CONVERSION

2.1. Conversion of land associated with organic livestock production

2.1.1. Where a production unit is converted, the whole area of the unit used for animal feed must comply with the rules on organic farming, using the conversion periods established in these Standards relating to plants and plant products.

2.1.2. By derogation from this principle, the conversion period may be reduced to 1 year for pasturages, open air runs and exercise areas used by non-herbivore species. This derogation must be authorised by the inspection authority or body.

2.2 Conversion of livestock and livestock products

2.2.1. Except for poultry, livestock used for meat production must be born on and spend their entire lives on an organic unit and be managed in accordance with these Standards. In addition, ewes, goats and sows whose progeny is intended for meat production must be mated on an organic unit after which they must be managed in accordance with these standards. Otherwise, when a production unit is converted, livestock products may be sold as organic products, provided the livestock are reared according to the rules laid down in these standards for at least the periods set out below.

• nine months in the case of cattle for milk production, except that the requirements of these standards in respect of feed must be complied with for at least six months before the end of the conversion period; however, during a transitional period of three years expiring on 24 August 2003, the latter period shall be at least 3 months;

• nine months in the case of suckler cows, except that the requirements of these standards in respect of feed must be complied with for at least six months before the end of the conversion period; however, during a transitional period of three years expiring on 24 August 2003, the latter period shall be at least 3 months;

six months in the case of ewes and goats ( or from mating);

• 10 weeks for poultry for meat production, brought in before they are three days old;

• six weeks in the case of poultry for egg production brought in before 18 weeks.

2.3. Simultaneous conversion

(a) the derogation applies only to existing breeding animals. Only offspring born after the start of the combined (simultaneous) conversion period may be used for meat production;

(b) the animals are mainly fed with products from the production unit.

(c) animals complying fully with the requirements of these Standards may be brought on to the unit but such livestock and any products from them may not be sold as organic until after the completion of the 24 month period.

3. ORIGIN OF THE ANIMALS

3.1. In the choice of breeds or strains, account must be taken of the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions; their vitality, and their resistance to disease. In addition, breeds or strains of animals shall be selected to avoid specific diseases or health problems associated with some breeds or strains used in intensive production (eg. porcine stress syndrome, PSE Syndrome, sudden death, spontaneous abortion, difficult births requiring caesarean operations, etc.) Preference is to be given to indigenous breeds and strains. Cattle must not derive from herds (whether beef or dairy) where BSE has occurred prior to August 1996. Any cattle born before the end of August 1996 with an unknown BSE history brought in to an organic herd or a herd in conversion must be treated as contemporaries and removed from the herd. In the case of an existing organic herd they must be removed with two years. In the case of a herd in conversion they must be removed before the end of the conversion period.

3.2. Livestock must come from production units which comply with the rules on the various types of livestock production laid down in these Standards. Throughout their life, this system of production must be applied.

3.3. By way of a first derogation, subject to the rules in Section 2.2.1 and subject to prior approval by the inspection authority or body, livestock existing on the livestock production unit, not complying with these Standards can be converted.

3.4. By way of a second derogation, when a herd or flock is constituted for the first time and organically reared animals are not available in sufficient numbers, non-organically reared chicks for broiler production or pullets for egg production and non-organically reared animals not intended for meat production may be brought into an organic livestock production unit, subject to the following conditions:

• pullets for the production of eggs must not be more than 18 weeks old

• chicks for broiler production must be less than three days old at the time they leave the production unit where they were produced;

• buffalo must be less than six months old;

• calves must be reared according to the rules of these Standards as soon as they are weaned and in any case they must be less than six months old;

• ewes and goats must be reared according to the rules of these Standards as soon as they are weaned and in any case they must be less than 45 days old;

• piglets intended as breeding stock must be reared according to the rules in these Standards as soon as they are weaned and they must weigh less than 25 kg.

3.5. This derogation, which must be authorised beforehand by the inspection authority or body, applies for a transitional period expiring on 31 December 2003.

3.6. By way of a third derogation, the renewal or reconstitution of the herd or flock shall be authorised by the control authority or body when organically reared animals are not available, and in the following cases:

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

(b) pullets for egg production no more than 18 weeks old

(c) poultry for meat production less than three days old

Cases (b) and (c) are authorised for a transitional period expiring on 31 December 2003.

3.7. Not allocated

3.8 By way of a fourth derogation, subject to a maximum of 10% of adult livestock may be brought in, as female (nulliparous) animals, from non organic-production stockfarms per year, for supplementing natural growth and for the renewal of the herd or flock, when organically reared animals are not available, and only when authorised by the control authority or body. The rules in Section 2.2.1 of these Standards shall apply, except in respect of animals for dairy production where the conversion period will be six months. However, during a transitional period of three years expiring on 24 August 2003, the latter period shall be at least 3 months.

3.9. The percentages laid down in the above derogation shall not apply to production units with less than 10 bovine animals or with less than 5 porcine, ovine or caprine animals. For these units, any renewal as mentioned above shall be limited to a maximum of 1 animal per year.

3.10 These percentages may be increased, up to 40% following the opinion and agreement of the inspection authority or body, in the following special cases:

• when a major extension to the stockfarm is undertaken

• when a breed is changed;

• when a new livestock specialisation is developed.

3.11. By way of a fifth derogation, males for breeding may be brought in from non organic-production stockfarms provided that the animals are subsequently reared and always fed in accordance with the rules laid down in these Standards.

3.12. Where livestock comes from units not complying with these Standards, in accordance with the conditions and restrictions set out in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.11 above, the periods laid down in paragraph 2.2.1 must be observed if the products are to be sold as being from organic production and during these periods all the rules set out in these Standards must be complied with.

3.13 Where livestock is obtained from units not complying with these Standards, special attention must be paid to animal health measures. The inspection authority or body may apply, depending on local circumstances, special measures, such as screening tests, and quarantine periods.

3.14 Not allocated.

4. FEED

4.1. Feed is intended to ensure quality production rather than maximising production, while meeting the nutritional requirements of the livestock at various stages of their development. Fattening practices are authorised in so far as they are reversible at any stage of the rearing process. Force-feeding is forbidden.

4.2. Livestock must be fed on organically produced feedingstuffs.

4.3. Furthermore, livestock must be reared in accordance with the rules set out in these standards, preferably using feed from the unit or, when this is not possible, using feed from other units or enterprises subject to the provisions of these standards. For ruminants, a minimum of 60% of the feed should be obtained from the unit, or from linked units.

4.4. Up to 30% of the feed formula of rations on average may comprise in-conversion feedingstuffs. When the in-conversion feeding stuffs come from a unit of the own holding, this percentage can be increased to 60%.

4.5. The feeding of young mammals must be based on natural milk, preferably maternal milk. All mammals must be fed on natural milk for a minimum period, depending on the species concerned, which shall be three months for bovines (including bubalus and bison species) and equidae, 45 days for sheep and goats and 40 days for pigs.

4.6. Not allocated

4.7. Post-weaning rearing systems for herbivores are to be based on maximum use of pasturage according to the availability of pastures in the different periods of the year. At least 60% of the dry matter in daily rations is to consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage.

4.8. By way of a derogation from paragraph 4.2, for a transitional period expiring on 24 August 2005, the use of a limited proportion of conventional feedingstuffs is authorised where the farmer is unable to obtain feed exclusively from organic production. The maximum percentage of conventional feedingstuffs authorised per year is 10% in the case of herbivores and 20% for other species. These figure shall be calculated annually as a percentage of the dry matter of feedingstuffs from agricultural origin. The maximum percentage authorised of conventional feedingstuffs in the daily ration, calculated as a percentage of the dry matter, must be -

4.9. By derogation from paragraph 4.8, when forage production is lost, in particular as a result of exceptional weather conditions, the competent authorities of the Member States can authorise for a limited period and in relation to a specific area, a higher percentage of conventional feedingstuffs where such a derogation is warranted. Upon approval by the competent authority, the inspection authority or body shall apply this derogation to individual operators.

4.10 For poultry, the feed formula used in the fattening stage, must contain at least 65% cereals within the meaning of Annex IV (a) to Regulation (EEC) 1538/91 as amended, on certain marketing standards for poultry.

4.11 Roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage must be added to the daily ration for pigs and poultry.

4.12. Only products listed in these standards can be used as additives and processing aids, respectively, in silage.

4.13. Conventional feed materials of agricultural origin can be used for animal feeding only if listed in these Standards (feed materials from plant origin), and subject to the quantitative restrictions imposed in these Standards, and only if they are produced or prepared without the use of chemical solvents.

4.14. Feed materials from animal origin (whether conventional or organically produced) can only be used if listed in Annex II, part C, section 2, and subject to the quantitative restrictions imposed in these Standards.

4.15 Not allocated.

4.16. In order to satisfy nutritional requirements of livestock, only products listed in these Standards (feed materials from mineral origin), (trace elements) (vitamins, pro-vitamins and chemically well-defined substances having a similar effect) can be used for animal feeding.

4.17. Only products listed in these Standards ( Annex II D 1.3(enzymes), 1.4 (micro-organisms), 1.6 (binders, anti-caking agents and coagulants), 2 (certain products used in animal nutrition) and 3 (processing aids used in feedingstuffs) can be used in animal feeding for the purposes indicated in respect to the above mentioned categories. Antibiotics, coccidiostatics, medicinal substances, growth promoters or any other substance intended to stimulate growth or production shall not be used in animal feeding.

4.18. Feedingstuffs, feed materials, compound feedingstuffs feed additives, processing aids for feedingstuffs and certain products used in animal nutrition must not have been produced with the use of genetically modified organisms or products derived therefrom.

5. DISEASE PREVENTION AND VETERINARY TREATMENT

5.1.1 The development and management of organic livestock systems requires special care in nurturing positive health and vitality, ensuring the proper control of disease and the encouragement of positive animal welfare. ("Positive welfare" is used here in the sense used by Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) to mean the satisfaction of the animal's needs, including behavioural needs and not merely the avoidance of cruelty.) This should be provided for by a plan agreed between the farmer and a nominated veterinary surgeon, working as a partnership, during and after conversion, to develop and operate an organic livestock system which conforms to these Standards. The plan must ensure the development of a pattern of health building and disease control measures appropriate to the particular circumstances of the individual farm and allow for the evolution of a farming system progressively less dependent on allopathic veterinary medicinal products.

5.1.2 Disease prevention in organic livestock production shall be based on the following principles:

(a) the selection of appropriate breeds or strains of animals as detailed in Section 3;

(b) the application of animal husbandry practices appropriate to the requirements of each species, encouraging strong resistance to disease and the prevention of infections;

(c) the use of high quality feed, together with regular exercise and access to pasturage, having the effect of encouraging the natural immunological defence of the animal;

(d) ensuring an appropriate density of livestock, thus avoiding overstocking and any resulting animal health problems.

5.2. The principles set out above, should limit animal-health problems so that they can be controlled mainly by prevention.

5.3. If, despite all of the above preventive measures, an animal becomes sick or injured, it must be treated immediately, if necessary in isolation, and in suitable housing.

5.4. The use of veterinary medicinal products in organic farming shall comply with the following principles:

(a) Phytotherapeutic (e.g. plant extracts (excluding antibiotics), essences, etc.), homeopathic products (e.g. plant, animal or mineral substances)) and trace elements and products listed in Part C, section 3 of Annex II, shall be used in preference to chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the species of animal, and the condition for which the treatment is intended;

(b) If the use of the above products should not prove, or is unlikely to be, effective in combating illness or injury, and treatment is essential to avoid suffering or distress to the animal, chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian

(c) The use of chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics for preventive treatments is prohibited; Vaccination is permitted in cases where there is a known disease risk. Single, two in one or four in one vaccines are preferred to more complex multiple vaccines unless such cover is specifically required. Vaccine choice and use should be agreed with the nominated veterinary surgeon to ensure adequate disease protection during the conversion phase with, where possible, progressive reductions in use as the organic unit becomes established.

5.5. In addition to the above principles, the following rules shall apply:

(a) the use of substances to promote growth or production, (including antibiotics, coccidiostatics and other artificial aids for growth promotion purposes) and the use of hormones or similar substances to control reproduction (e.g. induction or synchronisation of oestrus), or for other purposes, is prohibited. Nevertheless, hormones may be administered to an individual animal, as a form of therapeutic veterinary treatment;

(b) veterinary treatments to animals, or treatments to buildings, equipment and facilities, which are compulsory under national or Community legislation shall be authorised, including the use of immunological veterinary medicinal products when a disease has been recognised as present in a specific area in which the production unit is located. 

(c) Animal treatment products involving the use of organophosphates, are not permitted. If any of these compounds are used in compliance with statutory requirements, then the animals must be permanently marked at the time of treatment. Such animals must not be used for organic meat production. For livestock products, any animals so treated must be subject to the relevant conversion period specified in Section 2, before these products can be subsequently marketed as organic, subject to the agreement of the inspection authority or body.

5.6. Whenever veterinary medicinal products are to be used the type of product must be recorded clearly, (including an indication of the active pharmacological substances involved) together with details of the diagnosis; the posology; the method of administration; the duration of the treatment, and the legal withdrawal period. This information is to be declared to the inspection authority or body before the livestock or livestock products are marketed as organically produced. Livestock treated must be clearly identified, individually in the case of large animals; individually or by batch, in the case of poultry and small animals.

5.7. The withdrawal period between the last administration of a allopathic veterinary medicinal product to an animal under normal conditions of use, and the production of organically produced foodstuffs from such animals, is to be twice the legal withdrawal period. Where the legal withdrawal period is nil, or less than 24 hours, this withdrawal period will be 48 hours. In the case of medicines used off licence under veterinary supervision, the withdrawal period will be 7 days.

5.8. With the exception of vaccinations, treatments for parasites and any compulsory eradication schemes established by Member States, where an animal or group of animals receive more than two or a maximum of three courses of treatment with chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics within one year (or more than one course of treatment if their productive lifecycle is less than 1 year) the livestock concerned, or produce derived from them, may not be sold as being products produced in accordance with these standards, and the livestock must undergo the conversion periods laid down in Section 2 of this Annex, subject to the agreement of the inspection authority or body.

For the purposes of the above paragraph a course of treatment shall mean all necessary measures taken to restore the animal to health following a particular disease episode.

6. HUSBANDRY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, TRANSPORT AND IDENTIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS

6.1. Husbandry practices

6.1.1. In principle, the reproduction of organically reared livestock should be based on natural methods. Nevertheless artificial insemination is permitted. Other forms of artificial or assisted reproduction (for example embryo transfers) are prohibited.

6.1.2. Operations such as attaching elastic bands to the tails of sheep, tail-docking, cutting of teeth, trimming of beaks and dehorning must not be carried out systematically in organic farming. Some of these operations may, however, be authorised by the inspection authority or body, for reasons of safety (for example dehorning in young animals) or if they are intended to improve the health, welfare or hygiene of the livestock. Such operations must be carried out at the most appropriate age by qualified personnel and any suffering to the animals must be reduced to a minimum.

6.1.3. 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 in the last sentence of the paragraph 6.1.2.

6.1.4. Keeping livestock tethered is forbidden. Nevertheless, by derogation from this principle, the inspection authority or body, can authorise this practice for individual animals upon justification by the operator, that this is necessary for safety or welfare reasons, and that such tethering is only for a limited period of time.

6.1.5. Not allocated.

6.1.6. Not allocated.

6.1.7. Not allocated.

6.1.8. Where livestock are reared in groups, the size of the group must depend upon their stage of development and the behavioural needs of the species concerned. The keeping of livestock in conditions, or on a diet, which may encourage anaemia, is prohibited.

6.1.9. For poultry, the minimum age at slaughter shall be:

81 days for chickens,

150 days for capons,

49 days for Peking ducks,

70 days for female Muscovy ducks,

84 days for male Muscovy ducks,

92 days for Mallard ducks,

94 days for guineafowl,

140 days for turkeys and roasting geese.

Where producers do not apply these minimum slaughter ages, they must use slow-growing strains.

6.2. Handling and Transportation of Live Animals and Birds

6.2.1. General

When animals, including birds are transported they must be handled with proper care and concern for their welfare and in accordance with all relevant legislation and MAFF Codes of Recommendations for Animal Welfare. During the making up of loads, loading to vehicles, during transit and on unloading the animals must be handled in conditions which minimise stress and avoid the likelihood of any injury. In this regard care should be taken to:

i) ensure that the operations are supervised by experienced staff

ii) avoid the mixing of animals from different social groups

iii) avoid the use of unnecessary physical force on the animals

iv) ensure that correctly designed and maintained handling facilities are provided at the points of loading and unloading

v) ensure that the vehicles are adequately ventilated throughout the journey.

6.2.2 Loading and unloading must be carried out with caution and without the use of any type of electrical stimulation to coerce the animals. The use of any allopathic tranquilliser, prior to and during transport, is prohibited.

6.2.3 Liaison between the producer, haulier and the consignee on the time of collection and arrival should be established and the journey arranged to ensure that the transit time between the farm and destination is kept to a minimum. To this end, the nearest appropriate approved abattoir is to be used.

6.2.4 The vehicles used for transporting animals must be suitable for the purpose, they must be properly equipped and maintain in a clean and hygienic condition. The vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected between loads.

6.2.5 Vehicles must be driven with care avoiding high speeds, sudden starting or stopping or rapid cornering in order to avoid damage or injury to the animals.

6.2.6. Cattle, Sheep and Pigs

Only fit animals may be transported and they must be presented in a clean and rested condition.

6.2.7 Properly designed handling facilities should be provided on farms and where races and hurdles are required for moving animals they should be solid in construction. Driving boards should be used to move pigs in the required direction.

6.2.8 If it is likely that the animals will have to be fed during transit or during a holding period at an abattoir lairage, the producer should provide the requisite amount of feed which must comply to UKROFS Standards.

6.2.9 Vehicles used for transporting animals should be properly equipped for the purpose and in particular:

i) gates should be used to partition animals from different social groups to ensure that they are kept separate during transit

ii) when a vehicle is only partly full, gates should be used to restrict the movement of the animals during transit.

Poultry

6.2.10 Only fit birds may be transported, those which are unfit should be treated without delay or killed as quickly as possible using approved humane slaughter methods.

6.2.11 During loading, unloading and during a period while awaiting slaughter the birds should be protected from the elements.

6.2.12 During transit, each bird should have sufficient space to rest and stand up without restriction, they should be protected from undue fluctuations in temperature, humidity or air pressure and sheltered from extremes of weather.

6.2.13 The journey time between farm and destination must not exceed 10 hours duration from start to end. The journey time being defined as the time between loading of the first bird and the unloading of the last bird in the consignment.

6.2.14 Where there is a delay in unloading, vehicles should not be left unattended or stationary for lengthy periods unless suitable facilities exist for providing ventilation.

6.3. Identification of livestock products

6.3.1. Livestock and livestock products are to be identified at all stages of their production, preparation, transport and marketing.

7. LIVESTOCK MANURE

7.1. The total amount of manure, as defined in Directive 91/676/EEC applied on the holding may not exceed 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/hectare of agricultural area used, the amount specified in Annex III of the abovementioned Directive. Where necessary, the total stocking density shall be reduced to avoid exceeding the limit expressed above.

7.2. The livestock units equivalent to 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/hectare of agriculture area for the various categories of animals to be used to determine the appropriate density of livestock referred to above, are set out in Annex VII.

7.3. Not allocated.

7.4. Organic-production holdings may establish co-operation with other holdings and enterprises, which comply with the provisions of this Regulation, with the intention of spreading surplus manure from organic production. The maximum limit of 170 kg of nitrogen from manure per year/hectare of agricultural area used, will be calculated on the basis of all of the organic-production units involved in such a co-operation.

7.5. Not allocated.

7.6. Storage facilities for livestock manure must be of a capacity to preclude the pollution of water by direct discharge, or by run-off and infiltration of the soil.

7.7. To ensure sound fertiliser management, the capacity of such storage facilities for livestock manure must exceed the storage capacity required for the longest period of the year in which any application of fertiliser to the land is either inappropriate (in accordance with the codes of good agricultural practice established by Member States) or when such application is prohibited, in cases where the production unit is located within a designated area such as a nitrate vulnerable zone.

8. FREE RANGE AREAS AND LIVESTOCK HOUSING

8.1 General principles

8.1.1. Housing conditions for livestock must meet the livestock’s biological and ethological needs (e.g. behavioural needs as regards appropriate freedom of movement and comfort). The livestock must have easy access to feeding and watering. Insulation, heating and ventilation of the building must ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration, are kept within limits which are not harmful to the animals. The building must permit plentiful natural ventilation and light to enter.

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

8.2. Stocking densities and the avoidance of over grazing

8.2.1. Housing for livestock will not be mandatory in areas with appropriate climatic conditions to enable animals to live outdoors.

8.2.2. The stocking density in buildings should provide for the comfort and well being of the animals which, in particular, shall depend on the species, the breed and the age of the animals. It shall also take account of the behavioural needs of the animals, which depend in particular on the size of the group and the animals’ sex. The optimum density will seek to ensure the animals’ welfare by providing them with sufficient space to stand naturally, lie down easily, turn round, groom themselves, assume all natural postures and make all natural movements such as stretching and wing flapping.

8.2.3. The minimum surface areas for indoor housing and outdoor exercise areas, and other characteristics of housing for different species and categories of animals, are laid down in Annex VIII.

8.2.4. The outdoor stocking density of livestock kept on pasturage, other grassland, heathland, wetland, heather, and other natural or semi-natural habitats, must be low enough to prevent poaching of the soil and over grazing of vegetation.

8.2.5 Housing, pens, equipment and utensils must be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease carrying organisms. Only the products listed in these Standards can be used for such cleaning and disinfection of livestock buildings and installations. Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt food must be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting insects or rodents. Only the products listed in these Standards can be used for the elimination of insects and other pests in buildings and other installations where livestock is kept.

8.3. Mammals

8.3.1. Subject to the provisions in paragraph 5.3 above, all mammals must have access to pasturage or an open-air exercise area or an open-air run which may be partially covered and they must be able to use these areas whenever the physiological condition of the animal, the weather conditions and the state of the ground permit, unless there are Community or national requirements relating to specific animal health problems that prevent this. Herbivores must have access to pasturage whenever conditions allow.

8.3.2. In cases where herbivores have access to pasturage during the grazing period and where the winter-housing system gives freedom of movement to the animals, the obligation to provide open-air exercise areas or open-air runs during the winter months may be waived.

8.3.3. Notwithstanding the last sentence of paragraph 8.3.1, bulls over one year old must have access to pasturage or an open-air exercise area or an open-air run.

8.3.4. By way of derogation from paragraph 8.3.1, the final fattening phase of cattle pigs and sheep for meat production may take place indoors, provided that this indoors period does not exceed one fifth of their lifetime and in any case for a maximum period of three months.

8.3.5 Livestock housing must have smooth but not slippery floors. At least 50% of the total floor area must be solid, that is, not of slatted or of grid construction.

8.3.6. The housing must be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying/rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material must be provided in the rest area. The litter must comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with any mineral product authorised for use as a fertiliser in organic farming in accordance with Part A of Annex II.

8.3.7. As regards the rearing of calves, from 24 August 2000 all holdings, without derogation, must comply with Directive 91/629/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves. The housing of calves in individual boxes is forbidden after the age of one week.

8.3.8. As regards the rearing of pigs, from 24 August 2000, all holdings must comply with Council Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs. However, 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. For the purposes of rooting different substrates can be used.

8.4 Poultry

8.4.1. Poultry must be reared in open-range conditions and cannot be kept in cages.

8.4.2. Water fowl must have access to a stream, pond or lake whenever the weather conditions permit in order to respect animal welfare requirements or hygienic conditions.

8.4.3. Buildings for all poultry must meet the following minimum conditions:

• poultry houses must be structures with their own dedicated grazing, air space, ventilation, feed and water;

• at least one third shall be solid, that is, not of slatted or of grid construction, and covered with a litter material such as straw, wood shavings, sand or turf;

• in poultry houses for laying hens, a sufficiently large part of the floor area available to the hens must be available for the collection of bird droppings;

• they must have perches of a size and number commensurate with the size of the group and of the birds as laid down in Annex VIII;.

• they must have exit/entry pop-holes of a size adequate for the birds, and these pop-holes must have a combined length of at least 4 m per 100 m2 area of the house available to the birds;

• each poultry house must not contain more than:

4800 chickens,

3000 laying hens,

5200 guinea fowl,

4000 female Muscovy or Peking ducks or 3200 male Muscovy or Peking ducks or other ducks,

2500 capons, geese or turkeys.

• the total usable area of poultry houses for meat production on any single production unit, must not exceed 1 600 m².

8.4.4. In the case of laying hens natural light may be supplemented by artificial means to provide a maximum of 16 hours light per day with a continuous nocturnal rest period without artificial light of at least eight hours.

8.4.5. Poultry, must have access to an open-air run whenever the weather conditions permit and, whenever possible, must have such access for at least one third of their life. These open-air runs must be mainly covered with vegetation be provided with protective facilities, and permit animals to have easy access to adequate numbers of drinking and feeding troughs.

8.4.6. For health reasons, buildings must be emptied of livestock between each batch of poultry reared. The building and fittings are to be cleaned and disinfected during this time. In addition, when the rearing of each batch of poultry has been completed, runs must be left empty for at least 3 months to allow vegetation to grow back, and for health reasons. These requirements shall not apply to small numbers of poultry which are not kept in runs and which are free to roam throughout the day.

8.5. General derogation on the housing of poultry

8.5.1. The inspection authority or body may authorise derogations from the requirements on flock sizes set out in paragraph 8.4.3 and the stocking densities laid down in Annex VIII (2) for a transitional period expiring on 24 August 2005. This derogation can only be applied to livestock producing holdings which complied with UKROFS standards in force prior to 24 August 1999.

8.5.2. The operators benefiting from this derogation shall present a plan to the inspection authority or body, containing the arrangements which ensure, at the end of the derogation, compliance with the provisions of this Regulation.

8.5.3. Not allocated.

C. BEEKEEPING AND BEEKEEPING PRODUCTS

1. General principles

1.1. Beekeeping is an important activity that contributes to the protection of the environment and agricultural and forestry production through the pollination action of bees.

1.2. The organic status of beekeeping products as being from organic production is closely bound up both with the characteristics of the hives’ treatments and the quality of the environment. This qualification also depends on the conditions for extraction, processing and storage of beekeeping products.

1.3 When an operator runs several beekeeping units in the same area all the units must comply with the requirements of this Regulation. By derogation from this principle, an operator can run units not complying with this Regulation provided that all the requirements of this Regulation are fulfilled with the exception of the provisions laid down in paragraph 4.2 for the siting of the apiaries. In that case, the product cannot be sold with references to organic production methods.

2. Conversion period

2.1 Beekeeping products can be sold with references to the organic production method only when the provisions laid down in this Regulation have been complied with for at least one year. During the conversion period the wax has to be replaced according to the requirements laid down in paragraph 8.3.

3. Origin of the bees

3.1. In the choice of breeds, account must be taken of the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions, their vitality and their resistance to disease. Preference shall be given to the use of European breeds of Apis mellifera and their local ecotypes.

3.2. Apiaries must be constituted by means of the division of colonies or the acquisition of swarms or hives from units complying with the provisions laid down in this Regulation.

3.3. By way of a first derogation, subject to the prior approval by the inspection authority or body, apiaries existing in the production unit not complying with the rules of this Regulation can be converted.

3.4. By way of a second derogation, swarms on their own may be acquired from beekeepers not producing in accordance with this Regulation during a transitional period expiring on 24 August 2002 subject to the conversion period.

3.5. By way of a third derogation, the reconstitution of the apiaries shall be authorised by the control authority or body, when apiaries complying with this Regulation are not available, in case of high mortality of animals caused by health or catastrophic circumstances, subject to the conversion period.

3.6. By way of a fourth derogation, for the renovation of the apiaries 10% per year of the queen bees and swarms not complying with this Regulation can be incorporated into the organic -production unit provided that the queen bees and swarms are placed in hives with combs or comb foundations coming from organic-production. In that case, the conversion period does not apply.

4. Siting of the apiaries

4.1 The Member States may designate regions or areas where organic beekeeping is not practicable. A map on an appropriate scale listing the location of hives as provided for in Annex III, A1 Section 2, first indent shall be provided to the inspection authority or body by the beekeeper. Where no such areas are identified, the beekeeper must provide the inspection authority or body with appropriate documentation and evidence, including suitable analyses if necessary, that the areas accessible to his colonies meet the conditions required in this Regulation.

4.2. The siting of the apiaries must:

(a) ensure enough natural nectar, honeydew and pollen sources for bees and access to water;

(b) be such that, within a radius of 3 km from the apiary site, nectar and pollen sources consist essentially of organic crops and/or spontaneous vegetation, according to the requirements of Article 6 and Annex I of this Regulation, and crops not subject to the provisions of this Regulation but treated with low environmental impact methods such as, for example, those described in programs developed under Regulation (EEC) N° 2078/92 which cannot significantly affect the qualification of beekeeping production as being organic.

(c) maintain enough distance, if necessary, from non- agricultural production sources possibly leading to contamination, for example: urban centres, motorways, industrial areas, waste dumps, waste incinerators, etc. The inspection authorities or bodies shall establish measures to ensure this requirement.

The above requirements do not apply to areas where flowering is not taking place, or when the hives are dormant.

5. Feed

5.1. At the end of the production season hives must be left with reserves of honey and pollen sufficiently abundant to survive the winter.

5.2. The artificial feeding of colonies is authorised where the survival of the hives is endangered due to extreme climatic conditions. Artificial feeding shall be made with organic honey, preferably from the same organic unit.

5.3. By way of a first derogation from paragraph 5.2, the competent authorities of the Member States can authorise the use of organically produced sugar syrup, or organic sugar molasses instead of organically produced honey in artificial feeding, in particular, when it is required by climatic conditions that provoke crystallisation of honey.

5.4. By way of a second derogation, sugar syrup, sugar molasses and honey not covered by this Regulation may be authorised by the inspection authority or body for artificial feeding during a transitional period expiring on 24 August 2002.

5.5. The following information shall be entered in the register of the apiaries with regard to the use of artificial feeding: type of product, dates, quantities and hives where it is used.

5.6 Other products different from those indicated in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.4 cannot be used in beekeeping which complies with this Regulation.

5.7 Artificial feeding may be carried out only between the last honey harvest and 15 days before the start of the next nectar or honeydew flow period.

6. Disease prevention and veterinary treatments

6.1 Disease prevention in beekeeping shall be based on the following principles:

(a) the selection of appropriate hardy breeds

(b) the application of certain practices encouraging strong resistance to disease and the prevention of infections, such as: regular renewal of queen bees, systematic inspection of hives to detect any health anomalies, control of male broods in the hives, disinfecting of materials and equipment at regular intervals, destruction of contaminated material or sources, regular renewal of beeswax and sufficient reserves of pollen and honey in hives.

6.2 If despite all the above preventive measures, the colonies become sick or infested, they must be treated immediately and, if necessary, the colonies can be placed in isolation apiaries.

6.3 The use of veterinary medicinal products in organic beekeeping shall comply with the following principles:

(a) They can be used in so far as the corresponding use is authorised in the Member State in accordance with the relevant Community provisions or national provisions in conformity with Community law.

(b) Phytotherapeutic and homeopathic products shall be used in preference to allopathic products chemically synthesised, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the condition for which the treatment is intended.

(c) If the use of the above mentioned products should prove or is unlikely to be effective to eradicate a disease or infestation which risks destroying colonies, allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian, without prejudice to the principles laid down in paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

(d) the use of allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products used for preventive treatments is prohibited.

(e) without prejudice to the principle in (a) above, formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid and the following substances: menthol, thymol, eucalyptol or camphor can be used for infestation with Varroa jacobsoni.

6.4 In addition to the above principles, veterinary treatments or treatments to hives, combs etc., which are compulsory under national or Community legislation shall be authorised.

6.5 If a treatment is applied with chemically synthesised allopathic products, during such a period, the colonies treated must be placed in isolation apiaries and all the wax must be replaced with wax complying with the conditions laid down in this Regulation. Subsequently, the conversion period of one year will apply to those colonies.

6.6 The requirements laid down in the previous paragraph do not apply to products mentioned in 6.3(e)

6.7 Whenever veterinary medicinal products are to be used, the type of product (including the indication of the active pharmacological substance) together with details of the diagnosis, the posology, the method of administration, the duration of the treatment and the legal withdrawal period must be recorded clearly and declared to the inspection body or authority before the products are marketed as organically produced.

7. Husbandry management practises and identification

7.1 The destruction of bees in the combs as a method associated with the harvesting of beekeeping products is prohibited.

7.2. Mutilation such as clipping the wings of queen bees is prohibited.

7.4. The replacement of the queen bees involving the killing of the old queen is permitted.

7.5 The practice of destroying the male brood is permitted only to contain the infestation with Varroa jacobsoni.

7.6 The use of chemical synthetic repellents is prohibited during honey extractions operations.

7.8 The zone where the organic apiary is situated must be registered together with the identification of the hives. The inspection body or authority must be informed of the moving of apiaries with a deadline agreed on with the inspection authority or body.

7.9 Particular care shall be taken to ensure adequate extraction, processing and storage of beekeeping products. All the measures to comply with these requirements shall be recorded.

7.8. The removals of the supers and the honey extraction operations must be entered in the register of the apiary.

8. Characteristics of hives and materials used in beekeeping

8.1. The hives must be made basically of natural materials presenting no risk of contamination to the environment or the apiculture products.

8.2. With the exception of products mentioned in paragraph 6.3 (e) in the hives can be used only natural products such as propolis, wax and plant oils.

8.3. The beeswax for new foundations must come from organic production units. By way of a derogation, in particular in the case of new installations or during the conversion period, beeswax not coming from such units may be authorised by the inspection authority or body in exceptional circumstances where organically produced beeswax is not available on the market and provided that it comes from the cap.

8.4. The use of combs, which contain broods, is prohibited for honey extraction.

8.5. For the purposes of protecting materials (frames, hives and combs), in particular from pests, only appropriate products listed in part B, Section 2, of Annex II are permitted.

8.6. Physical treatments such as steam or direct flame are permitted.

8.7. For cleaning and disinfecting materials, buildings, equipment, utensils or products used in beekeeping only the appropriate substances listed in Annex II part E are permitted.

ANNEX II

C. FEED MATERIALS

1. Feed materials from plant origin

1.1 Cereals, grains, their products and by-products. The following substances are included in this category:

Oats as grains, flakes, middlings, hulls and bran; barley as grains, proteins and middlings; rice as grains, rice broken, bran, and germ expeller; millet as grains; rye as grains, middlings, feed and bran; sorghum as grains; wheat as grains, middlings, bran, gluten feed, gluten and germ; spelt as grains; triticale as grains; maize as grains, bran, middlings, bran, germ expeller and gluten; malt culms; brewers’ grains.

1.2 Oil seeds, oil fruits, their products and by-products. The following substances are included in this category:

Rape seed, expeller, and hulls; soya bean as bean, toasted, expeller and hulls; sunflower seed and expeller; cotton as seed and seed expeller; linseed as seed and expeller; sesame seed as seed and expeller; palm kernels as expeller; turnip rape seed as expeller and hulls; pumpkin seed as expeller; olive pulp (from physical extraction of olives).

1.3 Legume seeds, their products and by-products. The following substances are included in this category:

Chick peas as seeds; ervil as seeds; chickling vetch as seeds submitted to an appropriate heat treatment; peas as seeds, middlings, and bran; broad beans as seeds, middlings and bran; horse beans as seeds; vetches as seeds and lupin as seeds.

1.4 Tuber roots, their products and by-products. The following substances are included in this category:

Sugar beet pulp, sweet potato as tuber, manioc as roots, potato pulp ( by-product of the extraction of potato starch), potato starch, potato protein and tapioca.

1.5 Other seeds and fruits, their products and by-products. The following substances are included in this category:

Carob pulp, citrus pulp, apple pomace, tomato pulp, and grape pulp.

1.6 Forages and roughages. The following substances are included in this category:

Lucerne, lucerne meal, clover, clover meal, grass (obtained from forage plants), grass meal, hay, silage, straw of cereals, and root vegetables for foraging.

1.7 Other plants, their products and by-products. The following substances are included in this category:

Molasses as a binding agent in compound feedingstuffs seaweed meal (obtained by drying and crushing seaweed and washed to reduce iodine content), powders and extracts of plants, plant protein extracts (solely provided to young animals), spices and herbs.

2 Feed materials from animal origin

2.1. Milk and milk products. The following substances are included in the category:

Raw milks as defined in Article 2 of Directive 92/46/EEC, milk powder, skimmed milk, skimmed-milk powder, buttermilk, buttermilk powder, whey, whey powder, whey powder low in sugar, whey protein powder (extracted by physical treatment), casein powder and lactose powder.

2.2 Fish, other marine animals their products and by-products. The following substances are included in the category :

Fish oil and cod-liver oil not refined; Fish molluscan or crustacean autolysates, hydrolysate and proteolysates obtained by an enzyme action, whether or not in soluble form, solely provided to young animals. Fish meal

The following substances are included in this category:

Sodium:

unrefined sea salt
coarse rock salt
sodium sulphate
sodium carbonate
sodium bicarbonate
sodium chloride

Calcium:

lithothamnion and maerl
Shells of aquatic animals(including cuttlefish bones)
calcium carbonate
calcium lactate
calcium gluconate

Phosphorus:

bone dicalcium phosphate precipitate
defluorinated dicalcium phosphate
defluorinated monocalcium phosphate

Magnesium:

anhydrous magnesia
magnesium sulphate
magnesium chloride
magnesium carbonate

Sulphur:

sodium sulphate

D. FEED ADDITIVES, CERTAIN PRODUCTS USED IN ANIMAL NUTRITION (DIRECTIVE 82/471/EEC) AND PROCESSING AIDS USED IN FEEDINGSTUFFS.

1 Feed Additives

1.1 Trace elements. The following substances are included in this category:

E 1 Iron:

ferrous (II) carbonate
ferrous (II) sulphate monohydrate
ferric(III)oxide

E 2 Iodine:

calcium iodate, anhydrous
calcium iodate, hexahydrate
potassium iodide

E 3 Cobalt:

cobaltous (II) sulphate monohydrate and/or heptahydrate
basic cobaltous (II) carbonate, monohydrate

E 4 Copper:

copper (II ) oxide
basic copper (II) carbonate, monohydrate
copper, (II) sulphate pentahydrate

E 5 Manganese:

manganose (II) carbonate
manganous oxide and manganic oxide
manganous (II) sulfate, mono-and/or tetrahydrate

E 6 Zinc:

zinc carbonate
zinc oxide
zinc sulphate mono- and/or hepta-hydrate

E 7 Molybdenum:

ammonium molybdate, natrium molybdate

E 8 Selenium:

sodium selenate
sodium selenite

1.2. Vitamins, provitamins and chemically well defined substances having a similar effect. The following substances are included in this category:

Vitamins authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC:

- preferably derived from raw materials occurring naturally in feedingstuffs, or

- synthetic vitamins identical to natural vitamins only for monogastric animals.

1.3 Enzymes. The following substances are included in this category:

All the enzymes authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC.

1.4. Microorganisms. The following microorganisms are included in this category:

All the microorganisms authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC

1.5. Preservatives. The following substances are included in this category:

E 236 Formic acid only for silage

E 260 Acetic acid only for silage

E 270 Lactic acid only for silage

E 280 Propionic acid only for silage

1.6 Binders, anti-caking agents and coagulants. The following substances are included in this category:

E 551b Colloidal silica

E 551c Kieselgur

E 553 Sepiolite

E 558 Bentonite

E 559 Kaolinitic clays

E 561 Vermiculite

E 599 Perlite

2 Certain products used in animal nutrition. The following products are included in this category:

3.1 Processing aids for silage. The following substances are included in this category:

Sea salt, coarse rock salt, enzymes, yeasts, whey, sugar, sugar beet pulp, cereal flour, molasses and lactic, acetic, formic, and propionic bacteria.

When weather conditions do not allow for adequate fermentation, the inspection authority or body may authorise the use of lactic, formic, propionic and acetic acids in the production of silage.

E. Products authorised for cleaning and disinfection of livestock buildings and installations( e.g. equipment and utensils).

Potassium and sodium soap
Water and steam
Milk of lime
Lime
Quicklime
Sodium hypochlorite ( e.g. as liquid bleach)
Caustic soda
Caustic potash
Hydrogen peroxide
Natural essences of plants
Citric, peracetic acid, formic, lactic, oxalic and acetic acid.
Nitric acid (dairy equipment).
Phosphoric acid (dairy equipment).
Formaldehyde
Cleaning and disinfection products for teats and milking facilities
Sodium carbonate

ANNEX III A 2

INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

Livestock and livestock products produced by animal husbandry

1. When the inspection system applying specifically to livestock production is first implemented, the producer and the inspection body must draw up:

• a full description of the livestock buildings, pasturages open-air exercise areas, open air runs, etc and, where applicable, the premises for the storage, packaging and processing of livestock, livestock products, raw materials and inputs .

• a full description of the installations for the storage of livestock manure,

• a plan for spreading such manure agreed with the inspection body or inspection authority , together with a full description of the areas given over to crop production,

• where appropriate, the arrangements laid down by contract with other farms as regards the spreading of manure,

• a management plan for the organic livestock unit (e.g. management for feeding, reproduction, health etc ),

• all practical measures to be taken on the livestock farm to ensure compliance with this Regulation.

The description and the measures concerned are to be set out in an inspection report countersigned by the producer concerned.

In addition, the report must specify an undertaking by the producer to carry out operations in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 and to accept, in the event of infringement, enforcement of the measures referred to in Article 9(9) and , where relevant, in Article 10(3).

2. The general requirements on inspection in points 1 and 4 to 8 of Part A.1 of Annex III covering crops and crop products are applicable to livestock and livestock products.

By way of a derogation from those rules, the storage of veterinary allopathic medicinal products and antibiotics is permitted on holdings provided that they have been prescribed by a veterinarian in connection with treatment as referred to in these standards, that they are stored in a supervised location and are entered in the farm register.

3 The livestock must be identified permanently using techniques adapted to each species, individually in the case of large mammals and individually or by batch in the case of poultry and small mammals.

4 Livestock records must be compiled in the form of a register and kept available to the inspection authorities or bodies at all times at the address of the holding.

• Such records, which are to provide a full description of the herd or flock management system, must contain the following information:

• by species, as regards livestock arriving at the holding: origin and date of arrival, conversion period, identification mark and veterinary record;

• as regards livestock leaving the holding: age, number of head, weight in case of slaughter, identification mark and destination;

• details of any animals lost and reasons;

• as regards feed: type, including feed supplements, proportions of various ingredients of rations and periods of access to free-range areas;

• as regards disease prevention and treatment and veterinary care: date of treatment, diagnosis, type of treatment product, method of treatment and practitioner’s prescription for veterinary care with reasons and withdrawal periods applying before livestock products can be marketed.

5 Where a producer manages several livestock holdings in the same region, the units which produce livestock or livestock products not covered by these standards will also be subject to the inspection system as regards the first, second and third indents of point 1 of this section on livestock and livestock products and as regards the provisions on livestock management, livestock records and the principles governing storage of animal husbandry products used.

Where a particular class of stock are not on the holding for a whole year or they are of a different body weight or occupancy to that shown, the values in the table above should be adjusted accordingly.

ANNEX VIII

Minimum surface areas in doors and out doors and other characteristics of housing in the different species and types of production

1. BOVINES, OVINE AND PIGS

2. POULTRY

(*) Only in the case of mobile housing not exceeding 150 m2 floor space which remain open at night.