Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008Dangos y teitl llawn

Section 4 U.K. Disease prevention and veterinary treatment

Article 23 U.K. Disease prevention

1. The use of chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics for preventive treatment is prohibited, without prejudice to Article 24(3).

2. 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 or for other purposes (e.g. induction or synchronisation of oestrus), is prohibited.

3. Where livestock is obtained from non-organic units, special measures such as screening tests or quarantine periods may apply, depending on local circumstances.

4. Housing, pens, equipment and utensils shall be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease carrying organisms. Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt feed shall be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting insects or rodents.

For the purpose of Article 14(1)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, only products listed in Annex VII may be used for cleaning and disinfection of livestock buildings installations and utensils. Rodenticides (to be used only in traps), and the products listed in Annex II, can be used for the elimination of insects and other pests in buildings and other installations where livestock is kept.

5. Buildings shall be emptied of livestock between each batch of poultry reared. The buildings and fittings shall be cleaned and disinfected during this time. In addition, when the rearing of each batch of poultry has been completed, runs shall be left empty to allow vegetation to grow back. [F1 The relevant authority] shall establish the period for which runs must be empty. The operator shall keep documentary evidence of the application of this period. These requirements shall not apply where poultry is not reared in batches, is not kept in runs and is free to roam, throughout the day.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Art. 23(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Organic Production and Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/693), regs. 1(2), 3(11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 24 U.K. Veterinary treatment

1. Where despite preventive measures to ensure animal health as laid down in Article 14(1)(e)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 animals become sick or injured they shall be treated immediately, if necessary in isolation and in suitable housing.

[F2 2 . Phytotherapeutic and homeopathic products, trace elements and products listed in Section 1 of Annex V and in Section 3 of Annex VI shall be used in preference to chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary treatment or antibiotics, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the species of animal, and the condition for which the treatment is intended.]

3. If the use of measures referred to in paragraph 1 and 2 is not effective in combating illness or injury, and if treatment is essential to avoid suffering or distress of the animal, chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian.

4. With the exception of vaccinations, treatments for parasites and compulsory eradication schemes where an animal or group of animals receive more than three courses of treatments with chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics within 12 months, or more than one course of treatment if their productive lifecycle is less than one year, the livestock concerned, or produce derived from them, may not be sold as organic products, and the livestock shall undergo the conversion periods laid down in Article 38(1).

Records of documented evidence of the occurrence of such circumstances shall be kept for the control body or control authority.

5. The withdrawal period between the last administration of an 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 as referred to in [F3 paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013] or, in a case in which this period is not specified, 48 hours.

Textual Amendments

F2 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 354/2014 of 8 April 2014 amending and correcting Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control.

F3 Words in Art. 24(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Organic Production and Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/693), regs. 1(2), 3(12); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 25 U.K. Specific rules on disease prevention and veterinary treatment in beekeeping

[F4 1 . For the purpose of cleaning and disinfection of frames, hives and combs, sodium hydroxide may be used.

For the purpose of protecting frames, hives and combs, in particular from pests, only rodenticides (to be used only in traps), and appropriate products listed in Annex II, are permitted.]

2. Physical treatments for disinfection of apiaries such as steam or direct flame are permitted.

3. The practice of destroying the male brood is permitted only to isolate the infestation of Varroa destructor.

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

5. Veterinary medicinal products may be used in organic beekeeping in so far as the corresponding use is authorised in [F5 Great Britain in accordance with any relevant retained EU law].

6. Formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid as well as menthol, thymol, eucalyptol or camphor may be used in cases of infestation with Varroa destructor.

7. If a treatment is applied with chemically synthesised allopathic products, during such a period, the colonies treated shall be placed in isolation apiaries and all the wax shall be replaced with wax coming from organic beekeeping. Subsequently, the conversion period of one year laid down in Article 38(3) will apply to those colonies.

8. The requirements laid down in paragraph 7 shall not apply to products listed in paragraph 6.

Textual Amendments

F4 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1584 of 22 October 2018 amending Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control (Text with EEA relevance).

F5 Words in Art. 25(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Organic Production and Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/693), reg. 3(13) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1400, regs. 1(b), 3(3)(b)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)