ANNEX IIDETAILED PRODUCTION RULES REFERRED TO IN CHAPTER III
Part II: Livestock production rules
In addition to the production rules laid down in Articles 9, 10, 11 and 14, the rules laid down in this Part shall apply to organic livestock production.
1.General requirements
1.1.
Except in the case of beekeeping, landless livestock production, where the farmer intending to produce organic livestock does not manage agricultural land and has not established a written cooperation agreement with a farmer as regards the use of organic production units or in-conversion production units for that livestock, shall be prohibited.
1.2.Conversion
1.2.1.
In the case of simultaneous start of conversion of the production unit, including pasturage or any land used for animal feed, and of the animals existing on this production unit at the beginning of the conversion period of this production unit as referred to in points 1.7.1 and 1.7.5(b) of Part I, animals and animal products may be considered organic at the end of the conversion period of the production unit, even if the conversion period laid down in point 1.2.2 of this Part for the type of animal concerned is longer than the conversion period for the production unit.
By derogation from point 1.4.3.1, in the case of such simultaneous conversion and during the conversion period of the production unit, animals present in this production unit since the beginning of the conversion period may be fed with in-conversion feed produced on the in-conversion production unit during the first year of conversion and/or with feed in accordance with point 1.4.3.1 and/or with organic feed.
Non-organic animals may be introduced into an in-conversion production unit after the start of the conversion period in accordance with point 1.3.4.
1.2.2.
Conversion periods specific to the type of animal production are set out as follows:
- (a)
12 months in the case of bovine animals and equine animals for meat production, and in any case no less than three quarters of their lifetime;
- (b)
six months in the case of ovine animals, caprine animals and porcine animals and animals for milk production;
- (c)
10 weeks for poultry for meat production, except for Peking ducks, brought in before they are three days old;
- (d)
seven weeks for Peking ducks brought in before they are three days old;
- (e)
six weeks in the case of poultry for egg production brought in before they are three days old;
- (f)
12 months for bees.
During the conversion period, the wax shall be replaced with wax coming from organic beekeeping.
However, non-organic beeswax may be used:
- (i)
where beeswax from organic beekeeping is not available on the market;
- (ii)
where it is proven free of contamination with products or substances not authorised for use in organic production; and
- (iii)
provided that it comes from the cap;
- (i)
- (g)
three months for rabbits;
- (h)
12 months for cervine animals.
1.3.Origin of animals
1.3.1.
Without prejudice to the rules on conversion, organic livestock shall be born or hatched and raised on organic production units.
1.3.2.
With regard to the breeding of organic animals:
- (a)
reproduction shall use natural methods; however, artificial insemination shall be allowed;
- (b)
reproduction shall not be induced or impeded by treatment with hormones or other substances with a similar effect, except as a form of veterinary therapeutic treatment in the case of an individual animal;
- (c)
other forms of artificial reproduction, such as cloning and embryo transfer, shall not be used;
- (d)
the choice of breeds shall be appropriate to the principles of organic production, shall ensure a high standard of animal welfare and shall contribute to the prevention of any suffering and to avoiding the need for the mutilation of animals.
1.3.3.
When choosing breeds or strains, operators shall consider giving preference to breeds or strains with a high degree of genetic diversity, the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions, their breeding value, their longevity, their vitality and their resistance to disease or health problems, all without impairment of their welfare. 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, such as porcine stress syndrome, possibly leading to pale-soft-exudative (PSE) meat, sudden death, spontaneous abortion and difficult births requiring caesarean operations. Preference shall be given to indigenous breeds and strains.
To choose the breeds and strains in accordance with the first paragraph, operators shall use the information available in the systems referred to in Article 26(3).
1.3.4.Use of non-organic animals
1.3.4.1.
By way of derogation from point 1.3.1, for breeding purposes, non-organically raised animals may be brought to an organic production unit when breeds are in danger of being lost to farming as referred to in point (b) of Article 28(10) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and acts adopted on the basis thereof. In such case, the animals of those breeds need not necessarily be nulliparous.
1.3.4.2.
By way of derogation from point 1.3.1, for the renovation of apiaries, 20 % per year of the queen bees and swarms may be replaced by non-organic queen bees and swarms in the organic production unit, provided that the queen bees and swarms are placed in hives with combs or comb foundations coming from organic production units. In any case, one swarm or queen bee may be replaced per year by a non-organic swarm or a queen bee.
1.3.4.3.
By way of derogation from point 1.3.1, where a flock is constituted for the first time, or is renewed or reconstituted, and where the qualitative and quantitative needs of farmers cannot be met, the competent authority may decide that non-organically reared poultry may be brought into an organic poultry production unit, provided that the pullets for the production of eggs and poultry for meat production are less than three days old. Products derived from them may only be considered as organic if the conversion period specified in point 1.2 has been complied with.
1.3.4.4.
By way of derogation from point 1.3.1, where the data collected in the system referred to in point (b) of Article 26(2) shows that the qualitative or quantitative needs of the farmer regarding organic animals are not met, competent authorities may authorise the introduction of non-organic animals into an organic production unit, subject to the conditions provided for in points 1.3.4.4.1 to 1.3.4.4.4.
Prior to requesting any such derogation, the farmer shall consult the data collected in the system referred to in point (b) of Article 26(2) in order to verify whether his or her request is justified.
For operators in third countries, control authorities and control bodies recognised in accordance with Article 46(1) may authorise the introduction of non-organic animals into an organic production unit where organic animals are not available in sufficient quality or quantity in the territory of the country where the operator is located.
1.3.4.4.1.For breeding purposes, non-organic young animals may be introduced when a herd or flock is constituted for the first time. They shall be reared in accordance with the organic production rules immediately after they are weaned. In addition, the following restrictions shall apply on the date on which those animals enter the herd or flock:
- (a)
bovine animals, equine animals and cervine animals shall be less than six months old;
- (b)
ovine animals and caprine animals shall be less than 60 days old;
- (c)
porcine animals shall weigh less than 35 kg;
- (d)
rabbits shall be less than three months old.
1.3.4.4.2.For breeding purposes, non-organic adult male and non-organic nulliparous female animals may be introduced for the renewal of a herd or flock. They shall be reared subsequently in accordance with the organic production rules. In addition, the number of female animals shall be subject to the following restrictions per year:
- (a)
up to a maximum of 10 % of adult equine animals or bovine animals and 20 % of the adult porcine animals, ovine animals, caprine animals, rabbits or cervine animals may be introduced;
- (b)
for units with fewer than 10 equine animals, cervine animals or bovine animals or rabbits, or with fewer than five porcine animals, ovine animals or caprine animals, any such renewal shall be limited to a maximum of one animal per year.
1.3.4.4.3.The percentages set in point 1.3.4.4.2 may be increased up to 40 %, provided that the competent authority has confirmed that any of following conditions is fulfilled:
- (a)
a major extension to the farm has been undertaken;
- (b)
one breed has been replaced with another;
- (c)
a new livestock specialisation has been initiated.
1.3.4.4.4.
In the cases referred to in points 1.3.4.4.1, 1.3.4.4.2 and 1.3.4.4.3, non-organic animals may only be considered as organic if the conversion period specified in point 1.2 has been complied with. The conversion period laid down in point 1.2.2 shall start, at the earliest, once the animals are introduced into the in-conversion production unit.
1.3.4.4.5.
In the cases referred to in points 1.3.4.4.1 to 1.3.4.4.4, non-organic animals shall either be kept separate from other livestock or shall be kept identifiable until the end of the conversion period referred to in point 1.3.4.4.4.
1.4.Nutrition
1.4.1.General nutrition requirements
With regard to nutrition, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
feed for livestock shall be obtained primarily from the agricultural holding where the animals are kept or shall be obtained from organic or in-conversion production units belonging to other holdings in the same region;
- (b)
livestock shall be fed with organic or in-conversion feed that meets the animal’s nutritional requirements at the various stages of its development; restricted feeding shall not be permitted in livestock production unless justified for veterinary reasons;
- (c)
livestock shall not be kept in conditions or on a diet which may encourage anaemia;
- (d)
fattening practices shall always respect the normal nutritional patterns for each species and the animals’ welfare at each stage of the rearing process; force-feeding is forbidden;
- (e)
with the exception of porcine animals, poultry and bees, livestock shall have permanent access to pasture whenever conditions allow or shall have permanent access to roughage;
- (f)
growth promoters and synthetic amino-acids shall not be used;
- (g)
suckling animals shall preferably be fed on maternal milk for a minimum period laid down by the Commission in accordance with point (a) of Article 14(3); milk replacers containing chemically synthesised components or components of plant origin shall not be used during that period;
- (h)
feed materials of plant, algal, animal or yeast origin shall be organic;
- (i)
non-organic feed materials of plant, algal, animal or yeast origin, feed materials of microbial or of mineral origin, feed additives and processing aids may be used only if they have been authorised pursuant to Article 24 for use in organic production.
1.4.2.Grazing
1.4.2.1.Grazing on organic land
Without prejudice to point 1.4.2.2, organic animals shall graze on organic land. However, non-organic animals may use organic pasturage for a limited period each year, provided that they have been raised in an environmental friendly way on land supported under Articles 23, 25, 28, 30, 31 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and that they are not present on the organic land at the same time as organic animals.
1.4.2.2.Grazing on common land and transhumance
1.4.2.2.1.Organic animals may graze on common land, provided that:
- (a)
the common land has not been treated with products or substances not authorised for use in organic production for at least three years;
- (b)
any non-organic animals which use the common land have been raised in an environmental friendly way on land supported under Articles 23, 25, 28, 30, 31 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;
- (c)
any livestock products from organic animals that were produced during the period when those animals grazed on common land are not considered as organic products unless adequate segregation from non-organic animals can be proved.
1.4.2.2.2.During the period of transhumance, organic animals may graze on non-organic land when they are being moved on foot from one grazing area to another. During that period, organic animals shall be kept separate from other animals. The uptake of non-organic feed, in the form of grass and other vegetation on which the animals graze, shall be allowed:
- (a)
for a maximum of 35 days covering both the outward and return journeys; or
- (b)
for a maximum of 10 % of the total feed ration per year, calculated as a percentage of the dry matter of feedstuffs of agricultural origin.
1.4.3.In-conversion feed
1.4.3.1.For agricultural holdings that produce organic livestock:
- (a)
up to 25 % on average of the feed formula of rations may comprise in-conversion feed from the second year of conversion. This percentage may be increased to 100 % if this in-conversion feed comes from the holding where the livestock is kept; and
- (b)
up to 20 % of the total average amount of feed fed to livestock may originate from the grazing or harvesting of permanent pastures, perennial forage parcels or protein crops sown under organic management on lands in their first year of conversion, provided that those lands are part of the holding itself.
When both types of in-conversion feed referred to in points (a) and (b) are being used for feeding, the total combined percentage of such feed shall not exceed the percentage fixed in point (a).
1.4.3.2.The figures in point 1.4.3.1 shall be calculated annually as a percentage of the dry matter of feed of plant origin.
1.5.Health care
1.5.1.Disease prevention
1.5.1.1.
Disease prevention shall be based on breed and strain selection, husbandry management practices, high-quality feed, exercise, appropriate stocking density and adequate and appropriate housing maintained in hygienic conditions.
1.5.1.2.
Immunological veterinary medicinal products may be used.
1.5.1.3.
Chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics and boluses of synthesised allopathic chemical molecules, shall not be used for preventive treatment.
1.5.1.4.
Substances to promote growth or production (including antibiotics, coccidiostatics and other artificial aids for growth promotion purposes) and hormones and similar substances for the purpose of controlling reproduction or for other purposes (e.g. induction or synchronisation of oestrus) shall not be used.
1.5.1.5.
Where livestock is obtained from non-organic production units, special measures such as screening tests or quarantine periods shall apply, depending on local circumstances.
1.5.1.6.
Only the products for cleaning and disinfection in livestock buildings and installations authorised pursuant to Article 24 for use in organic production shall be used for that purpose.
1.5.1.7.
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. Rodenticides, to be used only in traps, and products and substances authorised pursuant to Articles 9 and 24 for use in organic production may be used for the elimination of insects and other pests in buildings and other installations where livestock are kept.
1.5.2.Veterinary treatment
1.5.2.1.
Where animals become sick or injured despite preventive measures to ensure animal health, they shall be treated immediately.
1.5.2.2.
Disease shall be treated immediately to avoid suffering of the animal. Chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, may be used where necessary, under strict conditions and under the responsibility of a veterinarian, when the use of phytotherapeutic, homeopathic and other products is inappropriate. In particular, restrictions with respect to courses of treatment and withdrawal periods shall be defined.
1.5.2.3.
Feed materials of mineral origin authorised pursuant to Article 24 for use in organic production, nutritional additives authorised pursuant to Article 24 for use in organic production, and phytotherapeutic and homeopathic products shall be used in preference to treatment with chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the species of animal and for the condition for which the treatment is intended.
1.5.2.4.
With the exception of vaccinations, treatments for parasites and compulsory eradication schemes, where an animal or a group of animals receives more than three courses of treatments with chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, within 12 months, or more than one course of treatment if their productive lifecycle is less than one year, neither the livestock concerned nor produce derived from such livestock shall be sold as organic products, and the livestock shall be subject to the conversion periods referred to in point 1.2.
1.5.2.5.
The withdrawal period between the last administration to an animal of a chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal product, including of an antibiotic, under normal conditions of use, and the production of organically produced foodstuffs from that animal shall be twice the withdrawal period referred to in Article 11 of Directive 2001/82/EC, and shall be at least 48 hours.
1.5.2.6.
Treatments related to the protection of human and animal health imposed on the basis of Union legislation shall be allowed.
1.6.Housing and husbandry practices
1.6.1.
Insulation, heating and ventilation of the building shall ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration are kept within limits which ensure the well-being of the animals. The building shall permit plentiful natural ventilation and light to enter.
1.6.2.
Housing for livestock shall not be mandatory in areas with appropriate climatic conditions enabling animals to live outdoors. In such cases, animals shall have access to shelters or shady areas to protect them from adverse weather conditions.
1.6.3.
The stocking density in buildings shall provide for the comfort, well-being and species-specific needs of the animals, and shall depend in particular 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 density shall ensure the animals’ welfare by providing them with sufficient space to stand naturally, to move, to lie down easily, to turn round, to groom themselves, to assume all natural postures and to make all natural movements, such as stretching and wing flapping.
1.6.4.
The minimum surface for indoor and outdoor areas, and the technical details relating to housing, laid down in the implementing acts referred to in Article 14(3), shall be complied with.
1.6.5.
Open air areas may be partially covered. Verandas shall not be considered as open air areas.
1.6.6.
The total stocking density shall not exceed the limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per year and hectare of agricultural area.
1.6.7.
To determine the appropriate density of livestock referred to in point 1.6.6, the competent authority shall set out the livestock units equivalent to the limit referred to in point 1.6.6, following the figures laid down in each of the specific requirements per type of animal production.
1.6.8.
Cages, boxes and flat decks to raise livestock shall not be used for any livestock species.
1.6.9.
When livestock is treated individually for veterinary reasons, it shall be kept in spaces that have a solid floor and shall be provided with straw or appropriate bedding. The animal must be able to turn around easily and to lie down comfortably at full length.
1.6.10.
Organic livestock may not be reared in a pen on very wet or marshy soil.
1.7.Animal welfare
1.7.1.
All persons involved in keeping animals and in handling animals during transport and slaughter shall possess the necessary basic knowledge and skills as regards the health and the welfare needs of the animals and shall have followed adequate training, as required in particular in Council Regulation (EC) No 1/200556 and Council Regulation No (EC) 1099/200957, to ensure proper application of the rules set out in this Regulation.
1.7.2.
Husbandry practices, including stocking densities and housing conditions, shall ensure that the developmental, physiological and ethological needs of the animals are met.
1.7.3.
Livestock shall have permanent access to open air areas that allow the animals to exercise, preferably pasture, whenever weather and seasonal conditions and the state of the ground allow, except where restrictions and obligations related to the protection of human and animal health have been imposed on the basis of Union legislation.
1.7.4.
The number of livestock shall be limited with a view to minimising overgrazing, poaching of soil, erosion, and pollution caused by animals or by the spreading of their manure.
1.7.5.
Tethering or isolation of livestock shall be prohibited, except in relation to individual animals for a limited period and insofar as this is justified for veterinary reasons. The isolation of livestock may only be authorised, and only for a limited period, where workers’ safety is compromised or for animal welfare reasons. Competent authorities may authorise the tethering of cattle in farms with a maximum of 50 animals (excluding young stock) where it is not possible to keep the cattle in groups appropriate to their behaviour requirements, provided they have access to pastures during the grazing period, and have access to open air areas at least twice a week when grazing is not possible.
1.7.6.
Duration of transport of livestock shall be minimised.
1.7.7.
Any suffering, pain and distress shall be avoided and shall be kept to a minimum during the entire life of the animal, including at the time of slaughter.
1.7.8.
Without prejudice to developments in Union legislation on animal welfare, tail-docking of sheep, beak trimming undertaken in the first three days of life, and dehorning may exceptionally be allowed, but only on a case-by-case basis and only when those practices improve the health, welfare or hygiene of the livestock or where workers’ safety would otherwise be compromised. Disbudding may be allowed only on a case by case basis when it improves the health, welfare or hygiene of the livestock or where workers’ safety would otherwise be compromised. The competent authority shall only authorise such operations where the operator has duly notified and justified the operations to that competent authority and where the operation is to be carried out by qualified personnel.
1.7.9.
Any suffering to the animals shall be reduced to a minimum by applying adequate anaesthesia and/or analgesia and by carrying out each operation at only the most appropriate age by qualified personnel.
1.7.10.
Physical castration shall be allowed in order to maintain the quality of products and traditional production practices, but only under the conditions set out in point 1.7.9.
1.7.11.
The loading and unloading of animals shall be carried out without the use of any type of electrical or other painful stimulation to coerce the animals. The use of allopathic tranquillisers, prior to or during transport, shall be prohibited.
1.8.Preparation of unprocessed products
If preparation operations other than processing are carried out on livestock, the general requirements laid down in points 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 2.2.3 of Part IV shall apply mutatis mutandis to such operations.
1.9.Additional general rules
1.9.1.For bovine animals, ovine animals, caprine animals and equine animals
1.9.1.1.Nutrition
With regard to nutrition, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
at least 60 % of the feed shall come from the farm itself or, if this is not feasible or such feed is not available, shall be produced in cooperation with other organic or in-conversion production units and feed operators using feed and feed material from the same region. This percentage shall be raised to 70 % as from F11 January 2024;
- (b)
animals shall have access to pasturage for grazing whenever conditions allow;
- (c)
notwithstanding point (b), male bovine animals over one year old shall have access to pasturage or an open air area;
- (d)
where animals have access to pasturage during the grazing period and where the winter housing system allows the animals to move freely, the obligation to provide open air areas during the winter months may be waived;
- (e)
rearing systems shall be based on maximum use of grazing pasturage, by reference to the availability of pastures in the different periods of the year;
- (f)
at least 60 % of the dry matter in daily rations shall consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage. This percentage may be reduced to 50 % for animals in dairy production for a maximum period of three months in early lactation.
1.9.1.2.Housing and husbandry practices
With regard to housing and husbandry practices, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
housing shall have smooth, but not slippery floors;
- (b)
housing shall be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying or rest area of sufficient size, which shall consist of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material shall be provided in the rest area. The litter shall comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with any mineral product that is authorised pursuant to Article 24 as a fertiliser or soil conditioner for use in organic production;
- (c)
notwithstanding point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 3(1) and the second subparagraph of Article 3(1) of Council Directive 2008/119/EC58, the housing of calves in individual boxes shall be forbidden after the age of one week, unless for individual animals for a limited period, and insofar as this is justified for veterinary reasons;
- (d)
when a calf is treated individually for veterinary reasons, it shall be kept in spaces that have a solid floor and shall be provided with straw bedding. The calf must be able to turn around easily and to lie down comfortably at full length.
1.9.2.For cervine animals
1.9.2.1.Nutrition
With regard to nutrition, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
at least 60 % of the feed shall come from the farm itself or, if this is not feasible or such feed is not available, shall be produced in cooperation with other organic or in-conversion production units and feed operators using feed and feed material from the same region. This percentage shall be raised to 70 % as from F11 January 2024;
- (b)
animals shall have access to pasturage for grazing whenever conditions allow;
- (c)
where animals have access to pasturage during the grazing period and where the winter housing system allows the animals to move freely, the obligation to provide open air areas during the winter months may be waived;
- (d)
rearing systems shall be based on maximum use of grazing pasturage by reference to the availability of pastures in the different periods of the year;
- (e)
at least 60 % of the dry matter in daily rations shall consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage. This percentage may be reduced to 50 % for female cervine animals in milk production for a maximum period of three months in early lactation;
- (f)
natural grazing shall be ensured in a pen during the period of vegetation. Pens that cannot provide feed by grazing during the period of vegetation shall not be allowed;
- (g)
feeding shall only be allowed in the event of a shortage of grazing due to poor weather conditions;
- (h)
farmed animals in a pen shall be provided with clean and fresh water. If a natural source of water that is easily accessible to animals is not available, watering places shall be provided.
1.9.2.2.Housing and husbandry practices
With regard to housing and husbandry practices, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
cervine animals shall be provided with hiding places, shelters and fences that do not harm animals;
- (b)
in red deer pens, animals must be able to roll in the mud to ensure skin grooming and body temperature regulation;
- (c)
any housing shall have smooth, but not slippery floors;
- (d)
any housing shall be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying or rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material shall be provided in the rest area. The litter shall comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with any mineral product authorised pursuant to Article 24 as a fertiliser or soil conditioner for use in organic production;
- (e)
feeding places shall be installed in areas protected from the weather and accessible both to animals and to persons attending to them. The soil where feeding places are located shall be consolidated, and the feeding apparatus shall be equipped with a roof;
- (f)
if permanent access to feed cannot be ensured, the feeding places shall be designed so that all animals can feed at the same time.
1.9.3.For porcine animals
1.9.3.1.Nutrition
With regard to nutrition, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
at least 30 % of the feed shall come from the farm itself or, if this is not feasible or such feed is not available, shall be produced in cooperation with other organic or in-conversion production units and feed operators using feed and feed material from the same region;
- (b)
roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage shall be added to the daily ration;
- (c)
where farmers are unable to obtain protein feed exclusively from organic production, and the competent authority has confirmed that organic protein feed is not available in sufficient quantity, non-organic protein feed may be used until F131 December 2026 provided that the following conditions are fulfilled:
- (i)
it is not available in organic form;
- (ii)
it is produced or prepared without chemical solvents;
- (iii)
its use is limited to the feeding of piglets of up to 35 kg with specific protein compounds; and
- (iv)
the maximum percentage authorised per period of 12 months for those animals does not exceed 5 %. The percentage of the dry matter of feed from agricultural origin shall be calculated.
- (i)
1.9.3.2.Housing and husbandry practices
With regard to housing and husbandry practices, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
the housing shall have smooth, but not slippery floors;
- (b)
the housing shall be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying or rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material shall be provided in the rest area. The litter shall comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with any mineral product authorised pursuant to Article 24 as a fertiliser or soil conditioner for use in organic production;
- (c)
there shall always be a bed made of straw or other suitable material large enough to ensure that all pigs in a pen can lie down at the same time in the most space-consuming way;
- (d)
sows shall be kept in groups, except in the last stages of pregnancy and during the suckling period, during which time the sow must be able to move freely in her pen and her movement shall only be restricted for short periods;
- (e)
without prejudice to any additional requirements for straw, a few days before expected farrowing, sows shall be provided with a quantity of straw or other suitable natural material sufficient to enable them to build nests;
- (f)
exercise areas shall permit dunging and rooting by porcine animals. For the purposes of rooting, different substrates may be used.
1.9.4.For poultry
1.9.4.1.Origin of animals
To prevent the use of intensive rearing methods, poultry shall either be reared until they reach a minimum age or else shall come from slow-growing poultry strains adapted to outdoor rearing.
The competent authority shall define the criteria of slow-growing strains or draw up a list of those strains and provide this information to operators, other Member States and the Commission.
Where slow-growing poultry strains are not used by the farmer, the minimum age at slaughter shall be as follows:
- (a)
81 days for chickens;
- (b)
150 days for capons;
- (c)
49 days for Peking ducks;
- (d)
70 days for female Muscovy ducks;
- (e)
84 days for male Muscovy ducks;
- (f)
X192 days for Mulard ducks;
- (g)
94 days for guinea fowl;
- (h)
140 days for male turkeys and roasting geese; and
- (i)
100 days for female turkeys.
1.9.4.2.Nutrition
With regard to nutrition, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
at least 30 % of the feed shall come from the farm itself or, if this is not feasible or such feed is not available, be produced in cooperation with other organic or in-conversion production units and feed operators using feed and feed material from the same region;
- (b)
roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage shall be added to the daily ration;
- (c)
where farmers are unable to obtain protein feed exclusively from organic production for poultry species, and the competent authority has confirmed that organic protein feed is not available in sufficient quantity, non-organic protein feed may be used until F131 December 2026, provided that the following conditions are fulfilled:
- (i)
it is not available in organic form;
- (ii)
it is produced or prepared without chemical solvents;
- (iii)
its use is limited to the feeding of young poultry with specific protein compounds; and
- (iv)
the maximum percentage authorised per period of 12 months for those animals does not exceed 5 %. The percentage of the dry matter of feed of agricultural origin shall be calculated.
- (i)
1.9.4.3.Animal welfare
Live plucking of poultry shall be prohibited.
1.9.4.4.Housing and husbandry practices
With regard to housing and husbandry practices, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
at least one third of the floor area shall be solid, that is, not of slatted or of grid construction, and shall be covered with a litter material such as straw, wood shavings, sand or turf;
- (b)
in poultry houses for laying hens, a sufficiently large part of the floor area available to the hens shall be available for the collection of bird droppings;
- (c)
buildings shall be emptied of livestock between each batch of poultry that has been 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 during a period to be established by the Member States in order to allow vegetation to grow back. Those requirements shall not apply where poultry are not reared in batches, are not kept in runs and are free to roam throughout the day;
- (d)
poultry shall have access to an open air area for at least one third of their life. However, laying hens and finisher poultry shall have access to an open air area for at least one third of their life, except where temporary restrictions have been imposed on the basis of Union legislation;
- (e)
continuous daytime open air access shall be provided from as early an age as practically possible and whenever physiological and physical conditions allow, except where temporary restrictions have been imposed on the basis of Union legislation;
- (f)
by way of derogation from point 1.6.5, in the case of breeding birds and pullets aged under 18 weeks, when the conditions specified in point 1.7.3 as regards restrictions and obligations related to the protection of human and animal health imposed on the basis of Union legislation are met and prevent breeding birds and pullets aged under 18 weeks from having access to open air areas, verandas shall be considered as open air areas and, in such cases, shall have a wire mesh barrier to keep other birds out;
- (g)
open air areas for poultry shall permit fowl to have easy access to adequate numbers of drinking troughs;
- (h)
open air areas for poultry shall be covered mainly with vegetation;
- (i)
under conditions where feed availability from the range area is limited, for example, due to long term snow cover or arid weather conditions, supplementary feeding of roughage shall be included as part of poultry diets;
- (j)
where poultry are kept indoors due to restrictions or obligations imposed on the basis of Union legislation, they shall have permanent access to sufficient quantities of roughage and suitable material in order to meet their ethological needs;
- (k)
water fowl shall have access to a stream, pond, lake or a pool whenever the weather and hygienic conditions permit, in order to respect their species-specific needs and animal welfare requirements; when weather conditions do not permit such access, they shall have access to water which enables them to dip their head therein so as to clean plumage;
- (l)
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;
- (m)
the total usable surface area for fattening poultry in poultry houses of any production unit shall not exceed 1 600 m2;
- (n)
not more than 3 000 laying hens shall be allowed in a single compartment of a poultry house.
1.9.5.For rabbits
1.9.5.1.Nutrition
With regard to nutrition, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
at least 70 % of the feed shall come from the farm itself or, if this is not feasible or such feed is not available, shall be produced in cooperation with other organic or in-conversion production units and feed operators using feed and feed material from the same region;
- (b)
rabbits shall have access to pasturage for grazing whenever conditions allow;
- (c)
rearing systems shall be based on maximum use of grazing pasturage by reference to the availability of pastures in the different periods of the year;
- (d)
fibrous feed such as straw or hay shall be provided when grass is not sufficient. Forage shall comprise at least 60 % of the diet.
1.9.5.2.Housing and husbandry practices
With regard to housing and husbandry practices, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
housing shall be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying or rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material shall be provided in the rest area. The litter shall comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with any mineral product authorised pursuant to Article 24 as a fertiliser or soil conditioner for use in organic production;
- (b)
rabbits shall be kept in groups.
- (c)
rabbit farms shall use robust breeds adapted to outdoor conditions;
- (d)
rabbits shall have access to:
- (i)
covered shelter including dark hiding places;
- (ii)
an outdoor run with vegetation, preferably pasture;
- (iii)
a raised platform on which they can sit, either inside or out;
- (iv)
nesting material for all nursing does.
- (i)
1.9.6.For bees
1.9.6.1.Origin of animals
For beekeeping, preference shall be given to the use of Apis mellifera and their local ecotypes.
1.9.6.2.Nutrition
With regard to nutrition, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
at the end of the production season hives shall be left with sufficient reserves of honey and pollen for the bees to survive the winter;
- (b)
bee colonies may only be fed where the survival of the colony is endangered due to climatic conditions. In such case, bee colonies shall be fed with organic honey, organic sugar syrups, or organic sugar.
1.9.6.3.Health care
With regard to health care, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
for the purposes of protecting frames, hives and combs, in particular from pests, only rodenticides used in traps, and appropriate products and substances authorised pursuant to Articles 9 and 24 for use in organic production shall be permitted;
- (b)
physical treatments for disinfection of apiaries such as steam or direct flame shall be permitted;
- (c)
the practice of destroying the male brood shall only be permitted for the purpose of isolating the infestation of Varroa destructor;
- (d)
if, despite all preventive measures, the colonies become sick or infested, they shall be treated immediately and, if necessary, may be placed in isolation apiaries;
- (e)
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;
- (f)
if a treatment is applied with chemically synthesised allopathic products, including antibiotics, other than products and substances authorised pursuant to Articles 9 and 24 for use in organic production, for the duration of that treatment, the treated colonies shall be placed in isolation apiaries and all the wax shall be replaced with wax coming from organic beekeeping. Subsequently, the conversion period of 12 months laid down in point 1.2.2 shall apply to those colonies.
1.9.6.4.Animal welfare
With regard to beekeeping, the following additional general rules shall apply:
- (a)
the destruction of bees in the combs as a method associated with the harvesting of apiculture products shall be prohibited;
- (b)
mutilation such as clipping the wings of queen bees shall be prohibited.
1.9.6.5.Housing and husbandry practices
With regard to housing and husbandry practices, the following rules shall apply:
- (a)
apiaries shall be placed in areas which ensure the availability of nectar and pollen sources consisting essentially of organically produced crops or, where appropriate, of spontaneous vegetation or non-organically managed forests or crops that are only treated with low environmental impact methods;
- (b)
apiaries shall be kept at sufficient distance from sources that may lead to the contamination of apiculture products or to the poor health of the bees;
- (c)
the siting of the apiaries shall be such that, within a radius of 3 km from the apiary site, nectar and pollen sources consist essentially of organically produced crops or spontaneous vegetation or crops treated with low environmental impact methods equivalent to those provided for in Articles 28 and 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 which cannot affect the qualification of beekeeping production as being organic. That requirement does not apply where flowering is not taking place, or the bee colonies are dormant;
- (d)
the hives and materials used in beekeeping shall be made basically of natural materials presenting no risk of contamination to the environment or the apiculture products;
- (e)
the beeswax for new foundations shall come from organic production units;
- (f)
only natural products such as propolis, wax and plant oils may be used in the hives;
- (g)
synthetic chemical repellents shall not be used during honey extraction operations;
- (h)
brood combs shall not be used for honey extraction;
- (i)
beekeeping shall not be considered as organic when practiced in regions or areas designated by Member States as regions or areas where organic beekeeping is not practicable.