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May 26, 2000

Codex Alimentarius Commission
(FOOD AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF UNITED NATIONS)

The Report of the 28th Session of the Codex
on Food Labelling(ALINORM 01/22)
("Organic" related part only)

Draft Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

ALINORM 01/22

JOINT FAO/WHO FOOD STANDARDS PROGRAMME
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

Twenty-fourth Session Geneva, 2-7 July 2001

REPORT OF THE TWENTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD LABELLING

Ottawa, Canada, 5-9 May 2000

Note: This document incorporates Circular Letter CL 2000/16-FL

　

SECTION 1. SCOPE

　

Consequential amendments including footnote

1.1 These guidelines apply to the following products which carry, or are intended to carry, descriptive labelling referring to organic production methods:

(a) unprocessed plants and plant products, livestock and livestock products to the extent that the principles of production and specific inspection rules for them are introduced in Annexes 1 and 3; and

(b) processed agricultural crop and livestock products 1 intended for human consumption derived from (a) above.

ANNEX 1

B. Livestock and livestock products

Include the following new text

General Principles

1. Where livestock for organic production are maintained, they should be an integral part of the organic farm unit and should be raised and held according to these guidelines.
2. Livestock can make an important contribution to an organic farming system by:

(a) improving and maintaining the fertility of the soil;

(b) managing the flora through grazing;

(c) enhancing biodiversity and facilitating complementary interactions on the farm; and

(d) increasing the diversity of the farming system.

3. Livestock production is a land related activity. Herbivores must have access to pasture and all other animals must have access to open-air runs; the competent authority may allow exceptions when the animals’ physiological state, inclement weather conditions, and state of the land so permit, or the structure of certain `traditional` farming systems restrict access to pasture, providing the welfare of the animals can be guaranteed.

4. Stocking rates for livestock should be appropriate for the region in question taking into consideration

feed production capacity, stock health, nutrient balance, and environmental impact.

5. Organic livestock management should aim to utilize natural breeding methods, minimize stress, prevent disease, progressively eliminate the use of chemical allopathic veterinary drugs (including antibiotics), reduce the feeding of animals with products of animal origin (e.g. meat meal), and maintain animal health and welfare.

　

Livestock Sources/Origin

6. The choice of breeds, strains and breeding methods shall be consistent with the principles of organic farming, taking into account in particular:

a) their adaptation to the local conditions;

b) their vitality and resistance to disease;

c) the absence of specific diseases or health problems associated with some breeds and strains (porcine stress syndrome, spontaneous abortion etc).

7. Livestock used for products satisfying Section 1.1 (a) of these guidelines must come, from birth or hatching, from production units complying with these guidelines, or have been the offspring of parents raised under the conditions set down in these guidelines. They must be raised under this system throughout their life.

- Livestock may not be transferred between organic and non-organic units. The competent authority can establish detailed rules for the purchase of livestock from other units complying with these Guidelines.

- Livestock existing on the livestock production unit, but not complying with these Guidelines, may be converted.

8. When an operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the official or officially recognized inspection/certification body that livestock satisfying the requirements indicated in the previous paragraph are not available, the official or officially recognized inspection/ certification body may allow livestock not raised according these guidelines under circumstances such as:

a) for considerable expansion of the farm, when a breed is changed or when new livestock specialization is developed;

b) for the renewal of a herd, e.g., high mortality of animals caused by catastrophic circumstances;

c) males for breeding.

The competent authority may set the specific conditions under which livestock from non-organic sources

may be allowed or not allowed, taking into account that animals be brought in as young as possible as soon as they are weaned.

9. These livestock qualified by the derogations indicated in the previous paragraph must comply with the conditions set out in paragraph 12. These conversion periods must be observed if the products are to be sold as organic according to Section 3 of these guidelines.

　

Conversion

10. The conversion of the land intended for feeding crops or pasture must comply with the rules set out in Part A paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of this Annex.

11. The competent authority may reduce the conversion periods or conditions established in paragraph 10 (for the land) and/or paragraph 12 (for livestock and livestock products) in the following cases:

a) pasture, open-air runs and exercise areas used by non-herbivore species;

b) for bovine, equine, ovine and caprine coming from extensive husbandry during an implementation period established by the competent authority or dairy herds converted for the first time;

c) if there is simultaneous conversion of livestock and land used only for feeding within the same unit, the conversion period for both livestock, pasture and/or land used for animal feed, may be reduced to two years only in the case where the existing livestock and their offspring are fed mainly with products from the unit.

12. Once the land has reached organic status and livestock from a non-organic source is introduced, and if the products are to be sold as organic, such livestock must be reared according to these Guidelines for at least the following compliance periods:

- Bovine and equine:

i. meat products: 12 months and at least ? of their lifespan in the organic management system;

ii. Calves for meat production: 6 months when brought in as soon as they are weaned and less than 6 months old;

iii. milk products: 90 days during the implementation period established by the competent authority, after that, six months.

- Ovine and caprine:

i. meat products: six months;

ii. milk products: 90 days during the implementation period established by the competent authority, after that, six months.

- Porcine:

- Meat products: Six months.

- Poultry/laying hens

i. meat products: whole of lifespan as determined by the competent authority;

ii. eggs: six weeks.

　

Nutrition

13. All livestock systems should provide the optimum level of 100% of the diet from feedstuffs (including 'in conversion' feedstuffs) produced to the requirements of these guidelines.

14. For an implementation period to be set by the competent authority, livestock products will maintain their organic status providing feed, consisting of at least 85% for ruminants and 80% for non-ruminants and calculated on a dry matter basis, is from organic sources produced in compliance with these Guidelines.

15 Not withstanding the above, where an operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the official or officially recognized inspection/certification body that feedstuffs satisfying the requirement outlined in paragraph 13 above are not available, as a result of, for example, unforeseen severe natural or manmade events or extreme climatic weather conditions, the inspection/certification body may allow a restricted percentage of feedstuffs not produced according to these guidelines to be fed for a limited time, providing it does not contain genetically engineered/modified organisms or products thereof. The competent authority shall set both the maximum percentage of non-organic feed allowed and any conditions relating to this derogation.

16. Specific livestock rations should take into account:

- the need of young mammals for natural, preferably maternal, milk;

- that a substantial proportion of dry matter in the daily rations of herbivores needs to consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage;

- that polygastric animals should be not fed silage exclusively;

- the need for cereals in the fattening phase of poultry;

- the need for roughage, fresh or dried fodder or silage in the daily ration for pigs and poultry.

17. All livestock must have ample access to fresh water to maintain the full health and vigour of the livestock.

18. If substances are used as feedstuffs, nutritional elements, feed additives or processing aids in the preparation of feedstuffs, the competent authority shall establish a positive list/s of substances in compliance with the following criteria:

a) general criteria:

- substances are permitted according to national legislation on animal feeding;

- substances are necessary/essential to maintain animal health, animal welfare and vitality; and

- such substances:

- contribute to an appropriate diet fulfilling the physiological and behavioural needs of the species concerned; and

- do not contain genetically engineered/modified organisms and products thereof; and

- are primarily of plant, mineral or animal origin.

b) specific criteria for feedstuffs and nutritional elements:

- feedstuffs of plant origin from non-organic sources can only be used, under the conditions of paragraphs 14 and 15, if they are produced or prepared without the use of chemical solvents or chemical treatment;

- feedstuffs of mineral origin, trace elements, vitamins, or provitamins can only be used if they are of natural origin. In case of shortage of these substances, or in exceptional circumstances, chemically well-defined analogic substances may be used;

- feedstuffs of animal origin, with the exception of milk and milk products, fish, other marine animals and products derived therefrom should generally not be used or, as provided by national legislation. In any case, the feeding of mammalian material to ruminants is not permitted with the exception of milk and milk products; synthetic nitrogen or non-protein nitrogen compounds shall not be used.

　

c) specific criteria for additives and processing aids:

- binders, anti-caking agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, surfactants, coagulants: only natural sources are allowed;

- antioxidants: only natural sources are allowed;

- preservatives: only natural acids are allowed;

- colouring agents (including pigments), flavours and appetite stimulants: only natural sources are allowed;

- probiotics, enzymes and microorganisms are allowed;

- antibiotics, coccidiostatics, medicinal substances, growth promoters or any other substance intended to stimulate growth or production shall not be used in animal feeding.

19. Silage additives and processing aids may not be derived from genetically engineered/modified organisms or products thereof, and may be comprised of only:

- sea salt;

- coarse rock salt;

- yeasts;

- enzymes;

- whey;

- sugar; or sugar products such as molasses;

- honey;

- lactic, acetic, formic and propionic bacteria, or their natural acid product when the weather conditions do not allow for adequate fermentation, and with approval of the competent authority. Health Care

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

a) the choice of appropriate breeds or strains of animals as detailed in paragraph 6 above;

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 good quality organic feed, together with regular exercise and access to pasture and/or open-air runs, 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.

21. If, despite the above preventative measures, an animal becomes sick or injured it must be treated immediately, if necessary in isolation and in suitable housing. Producers should not withhold medication where it will result in unnecessary suffering of the livestock, even if the use of such medication will cause the animal to lose its organic status.

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

a) where specific disease or health problems occur, or may occur, and no alternative permitted treatment or management practice exists, or, in cases required by law, vaccination of livestock, the use of parasiticides, or therapeutic use of veterinary drugs are permitted;

b) phytotherapeutic (excluding antibiotics), homeopathic or ayurvedic products and trace elements shall be used in preference to chemical allopathic veterinary drugs or antibiotics, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the species of animal and the condition for which the treatment is intended;

c) if the use of the above products is unlikely to be effective in combating illness or injury, chemical allopathic veterinary drugs or antibiotics may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian; withholding periods should be the double of that required by legislation with, in any case, a minimum of 48 hours;

d) the use of chemical allopathic veterinary drugs or antibiotics for preventative treatments is prohibited.

23. Hormonal treatment may only be used for therapeutic reasons and under veterinary supervision.

24. Growth stimulants or substances used for the purpose of stimulating growth or production are not permitted.

　

Livestock Husbandry, Transport and Slaughter

25. Maintenance of livestock should be guided by an attitude of care, responsibility and respect for

living creatures.

26. Breeding methods should be in compliance with the principles of organic farming taking into

account:

i) the breeds and strains suitable for raising under local conditions and under an organic system;

ii) the preference for reproduction through natural methods, although artificial insemination may be used;

iii) that embryo transfer techniques and the use of hormonal reproductive treatment shall not be used;

iv) that breeding techniques employing genetic engineering must not be used.

27. Operations such as attaching elastic bands to the tails of sheep, tail-docking, cutting of teeth, trimming of beaks and dehorning are generally not allowed in the organic management system. Some of these operations may, however, be authorized in exceptional circumstances by the competent authority or its delegate, for reasons of safety (e.g. dehorning in young animals) or if they are intended to improve the health and welfare of the livestock. Such operations must be carried out at the most appropriate age and any suffering to the animals must be reduced to a minimum. Anaesthetic should be used where appropriate. 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 these conditions.

28. The living conditions and the management of the environment should take into account the specific behavioural needs of the livestock and provide for:

- sufficient free movement and opportunity to express normal patterns of behaviour;

- company of other animals, particularly of like kind;

- the prevention of abnormal behaviour, injury and disease;

- arrangements to cover emergencies such as the outbreaks of fire, the breakdown of essential mechanical services and the disruption of supplies.

29. The transport of living stock should be managed in a calm and gentle way and in a manner which avoids stress, injury and suffering: the competent authority should establish specific conditions in order to meet these objectives and may establish maximum transport periods. In transporting livestock, the use of electric stimulation or allopathic tranquilizers is not permitted.

30. The slaughter of livestock should be undertaken in a manner which minimizes stress and suffering, and in accordance with national rules. Housing and Free-Range Conditions

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

32. Housing conditions should meet the biological and behavioural needs of the livestock by providing:

- easy access to feeding and watering;

- insulation, heating, cooling and ventilation of the building to ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration are kept within limits which are not harmful to the livestock;

- plentiful natural ventilation and light to enter;

33. Livestock may be temporarily confined during periods of inclement weather, when their health, safety or well being could be jeopardized, or to protect plant, soil and water quality.

34. The stocking density in buildings should:

- provide for the comfort and well being of the livestock having regard for the species, the breed and the age of the livestock;

- take into account the behavioural needs of the livestock with respect to the size of the group and the sex of the livestock;

- provide them with sufficient space to stand naturally, lie down easily, turn round, groom themselves, and assume all natural postures and movements such as stretching and wing flapping.

35. Housing, pens, equipment and utensils should be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross infection and the build-up of disease carrying organisms.

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

37. The outdoor stocking density of livestock kept on pasture, grassland, or other natural or semi-natural habitats, must be low enough to prevent degradation of the soil and over-grazing of vegetation.

Mammals

38. All mammals must have access to pasture or an open-air exercise area or run which may be partially covered, and they must be able to use those areas whenever the physiological condition of the animal, the weather conditions and the state of the ground permit.

39. The competent authority may grant exceptions for :

- the access of bulls to pasture or, in case of cows to an open-air exercise area or run during the winter period;

- the final fattening phase.

40. Livestock housing must have smooth, but not slippery floors. The floor must not be entirely of slatted or grid construction.

41. The housing must be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying/rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material must be provided in the rest area.

42. The housing of calves in individual boxes and the tethering of livestock are not permitted without the approval of the competent authority.

43. 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.

44. The keeping of rabbits in cages is not permitted.  

Poultry

45. Poultry must be reared in open-range conditions and have free access to open-air run whenever the

weather conditions permit. The keeping of poultry in cages is not permitted.

46. Water fowl must have access to a stream, pond or lake whenever the weather conditions permit.

47. Housing for all poultry should provide an area of solid construction covered with litter material such

as straw, wood shavings, sand or turf. A sufficiently large part of the floor area must be available to laying hens for the collection of droppings, Perches/higher sleeping areas of a size and number commensurate with the species and size of the group and of the birds and exit/entry holes of an adequate size must be provided.

48. In the case of laying hens, when natural day length is prolonged by artificial light, the competent

authority shall prescribe maximum hours respective to species, geographical considerations and general health of the animals.

　

ANNEX 3

MINIMUM INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES UNDER THE INSPECTION OR CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

　

Consequential amendments to paras 3 and 5.

A. Production units

3. Production according to these guidelines should take place in a unit where the land parcels, production

areas, farm buildings and storage facilities for crop and livestock, are clearly separate from those of any other unit which does not produce according to these guidelines; preparation and/or packaging workshops may form part of the unit, where its activity is limited to preparation and packaging of its own agricultural produce.

5. Each year, before the date indicated by the inspection body, the operator should notify the official or officially recognized inspection/certification body of its schedule of production of crop products and livestock, giving a breakdown by land parcel/herd, flock..

Insert new paragraph 7 (6.bis)

7. All livestock should be identified individually or, in the case of small mammals or poultry, by herd or flock. Written and/or documentary accounts should be kept to enable tracking of livestock within the system at all times and to provide adequate traceback for audit purpose. The operator should maintain detailed and up-to-date records of:

i) breeding and/or origins of livestock;

ii) registration of any purchases;

iii) the health plan to be used in the prevention and management of disease, injury and reproductive problems;

iv) all treatments and medicines administered for any purpose, including quarantine periods and identification of treated animals;

v) feed provided and the source of the feedstuffs;

vi) stock movements within the unit;

vii) transportation, slaughter and/or sales.

　

Consequential amendment to existing para 11. becomes para 12.

11. Where an operator runs several production units in the same area (parallel cropping), units in the area producing crop, crop products, not covered by Section 1 should also be subject to the inspection arrangements as regards the dash points of paragraph 4 and paragraphs 6 and 8 above. Plants of indistinguishable varieties as those produced at the unit referred to in paragraph 3 above should not be produced at these units.

Insert following new paragraphs at end of Annex 3, A.

13. In organic livestock production, all livestock on one and the same production unit must be reared in accordance with the rules laid down in these Guidelines. However, livestock not reared in accordance with these Guidelines may be present on the organic holding provided that they are separated clearly from

livestock produced in accordance with these Guidelines. The competent authority can prescribe more restrictive measures, such as different species.

14. The competent authority may accept that animals reared in accordance with the provisions of these Guidelines may be grazed on common land, provided that:

a) this land has not been treated with products other than those allowed in accordance with Section 4.1

(a) and (b) of these Guidelines, for at least three years;

b) a clear segregation between the animals reared in accordance with the provisions of these Guidelines, and the other animals can be organized.

15. For livestock production, the competent authority should ensure, without prejudice to the other provisions in this Annex, that the inspections related to all stages of production and preparation up to the sale to the consumer ensure, as far as technically possible, the traceability of livestock and livestock products from the livestock production unit through processing and any other preparation until final packaging and/or labelling.