Volume 12: Livestock Farming
10. Organic farming
Standards for organic production
General husbandry
Feed
Animal health

10.5 The UK Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) regulates organic standards in the UK. The Soil Association is the largest of five approved organisations that undertake inspection and certification of organic units, and its 'Standards for Organic Farming' ('the standards') provide a comprehensive guide to the production of organic food that will qualify for the organic symbol. Those organisations that undertake inspection and certification must have rules that comply with UKROFS minimum standards, if they are to retain their own approved status.

General husbandry

10.6 UKROFS rules allow conventional dairy cows to be converted to organic milk production. The milk may be sold as organic only after the cows have undergone a specified period under full organic management within an organic unit. UKROFS rules permit beef to be sold as organic only if it comes from an animal born and raised entirely within an organic unit.

Feed

10.7 The Soil Association recommends that feed should be prepared from organically grown ingredients, supplemented by seaweed or other natural minerals; and that grassland should contain a variety of species, including herbs. Calves should have at least four days on their dam's milk and six weeks on whole milk. The use of in-feed antibiotics, urea and other chemical additives is prohibited.

10.8 The standards recommend that 100 per cent of animal diets should be from feedstuffs produced in accordance with what the Association stipulates. However, if that is not possible, for beef animals and dairy calves the ration should be 90 per cent organic, and for dairy cows 85 per cent. Accordingly, it is possible for organic farmers to use a proportion of bought-in compound feed, containing ingredients produced on conventional farms, in their cattle rations.

10.9 The ingredients of the bought-in compound feeds must appear on the Association's approved list. Use of ingredients made of, or feedstuffs containing, animal by-products or manure have been prohibited by the Association since 1983, and have therefore been removed from the approved list.

Animal health

10.10 Organic systems rely on preventive management and good husbandry, in the first instance, for disease management. Routine use of drugs, antibiotics and hormones is prohibited, though particular products can be used if there is a known farm problem. To cope with disease, herbal treatments should be used in the first instance, with a minimal use of drugs and antibiotics for serious illness. However, conventional medicines are used to prevent prolonged illness or suffering.