TITLE IIRULES ON PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, PACKAGING, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS

CHAPTER 2Livestock production

Section 3Feed

Article 20Feed meeting animals' nutritional requirements

1.

All young mammals shall be fed on maternal milk in preference to natural milk, for a minimum period of three months for bovines including bubalus and bison species and equidae, 45 days for sheep and goats and 40 days for pigs.

2.

Rearing systems for herbivores are to be based on maximum use of grazing pasturage according to the availability of pastures in the different periods of the year. At least 60 % of the dry matter in daily rations of herbivores shall consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage. A reduction to 50 % for animals in dairy production for a maximum period of three months in early lactation is allowed.

3.

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

4.

The keeping of livestock in conditions, or on a diet, which may encourage anaemia, is prohibited.

5.

Fattening practices shall be reversible at any stage of the rearing process. Force-feeding is forbidden.