Standards for organic agricultur

Organic Agriculture Association with a 5 years long experience is aiming to spread its activity in all the levels, from organic production in farms, to their processing and marketing.

Especially with the big financial assistance of the Swiss Government and with the technical support of FiBL, Switzerland, OAA is implementing since 2001 the project: “Low external inputs agriculture (LEIA)”. OAA objective is to support the farmers not only in applying the organic agriculture practices, but also to help them for the marketing. These activities will help for the promotion and the faster extension of the organic movement.

Of course, the application of the organic production on a scientific and institutional basis requires that the associations have its own standards with fixed basic principles for the production, processing, certification and marketing of the organic products.

The standards are based on the IFOAM standards adapted to the characteristics of the agricultural production and organic production units in Albania and taking into consideration the European experience and legal documents, the EC regulation 2092/91 and private certification bodies’ standards, such as Bio-Swiss, Naturland..

OAA standards meet the EC Regulations 2092/91 wherever applicable however in some instances, the standards have adopted some criteria of different European private certification bodies’ standards.

These standards are approved on principle by the Board of the association and are still being discussed for further improvement. The observations done during the discussion of this draft will help to shape these standards the best way possible for application.

Attached to the standards are also two logos that represent the two different statuses of products: Logo for the products “organic” (“BIO”); Logo for products “organic (bio) in conversion.

Revision:

The OAA Standards are developed by the OAA office and approved by the OAA Board. The OAA Standards will be revised regularly at least every two years. Comments and proposals for amendments by certified operators or by any other parties are welcome at any time and should be sent to the OAA office. Before approval a draft of the OAA Standards will be sent for comment to the members of OAA, the certified operators and other interested parties.

Definitions

“Animal products” are all the products derived by livestock, animal husbandry (including also insects) and water species cultivated in sweet and salty waters. Fishing and hunting products are not considered as organic.

A clearly defined and identifiable boundary area bordering an organic production site that is established to limit application of, or contact with, prohibited substances from an adjacent area.

The procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a clearly identified process has been methodically assessed, such that adequate confidence is provided that specified products conform to specified requirements.

“Certification body” is the organization or organism that certifies the conformity of the accordance of the products, processes, services and quality systems with standard requirements, technical specifications or legal acts in power.

“Conversion period” is the indispensable period of time needed to convert from other production systems into the organic one.

Genetic engineering is a set of techniques from molecular biology (such as recombinant DNA) by which the genetic material of plants, animals, micro-organisms, cells and other biological units are altered in ways or with results that could not be obtained by methods of natural mating and reproduction or natural recombination. Techniques of genetic modification include, but are not limited to: recombinant DNA, cell fusion, micro and macro injection, encapsulation, gene deletion and doubling. Genetically engineered organisms do not include organisms resulting from techniques such as conjugation, transduction and natural hybridization.

“Ingredients” Any substance, including a food additive, used in the manufacture or preparation of a food or present in the final product although possibly in a modified form.

“Labelling” means, every word, trade mark, trade name, picturesque content and symbols in any packing, document, note, label, package or collar that accompanies or refers to a product.

“Marketing” means preserve, promotion, distribution and any other common form of displaying the product in the market, in stores, supermarkets or restaurants for the fulfillment of the aim.

“Organic production unit” is the unit/enterprise or farm that works in accordance with this standards.

“Organic” refers to the farming system and products described in the IFOAM Basic Standards and not to “organic chemistry”.

A product which has been produced, processed, and/or handled in compliance with organic standards.

Any production where the same unit is growing, breeding, handling or processing the same products in both a certified organic system and a non-certified or non-organic system. A situation with “organic” and “in conversion” production of the same product is also parallel production. Parallel production is a special instance of split production.

Where only part of the farm or processing unit is certified as organic. The remainder of the property can be (a) non-organic, (b) in conversion or (c) organic but not certified. Also see parallel production.

Organic Production and Processing is based on a number of principles and ideas. All are important and this list does not seek to establish any priority of importance. The principles include:

· To produce sufficient quantities of high quality food, fiber and other products.

· To work compatibly with natural cycles and living systems through the soil, plants and animals in the entire production system.

· To recognize the wider social and ecological impact of and within the organic production and processing system.

· To maintain and increase long-term fertility and biological activity of soils using locally adapted cultural, biological and mechanical methods as opposed to reliance on inputs.

· To maintain and encourage agricultural and natural biodiversity on the farm and surrounds through the use of sustainable production systems and the protection of plant and wildlife habitats.

· To maintain and conserve genetic diversity through attention to on-farm management of genetic resources.

· To promote the responsible use and conservation of water and all life therein.

· To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in production and processing systems and avoid pollution and waste.

· To foster local and regional production and distribution.

· To create a harmonious balance between crop production and animal husbandry.

· To provide living conditions that allow animals to express the basic aspects of their innate behavior

· To utilize biodegradable, recyclable and recycled packaging materials.

· To provide everyone involved in organic farming and processing with a quality of life that satisfies their basic needs, within a safe, secure and healthy working environment.

· To support the establishment of an entire production, processing and distribution chain which is both socially just and ecologically responsible.

· To recognize the importance of, and protect and learn from, indigenous knowledge and traditional farming systems.

2. Organic Ecosystems

2.1. Ecosystem Management

General Principle

Standards

Operators shall take measures to maintain and improve landscape and enhance biodiversity quality.

2.2. Soil and Water Conservation

General Principle

Organic farming methods conserve and grow soil, maintain water quality and use water efficiently and responsibly.

Standards

Crop production, processing and handling systems shall return nutrients, organic matter and other resources removed from the soil through harvesting by the recycling, regeneration and addition of organic materials and nutrients.

Relevant measures shall be taken to prevent or remedy soil and water salinisation.

Operators shall not deplete nor excessively exploit water resources, and shall seek to preserve water quality. They shall where possible recycle rainwater and monitor water extraction.

2.3. Genetic Engineering

General Principles

Standards:

The deliberate use or negligent introduction of genetically engineered organisms or their derivatives to organic farming systems or products is prohibited. This shall include animals, seed, propagation material, and farm inputs such as fertilizers, soil conditioners, vaccines or crop protection materials.

The use of genetically engineered organisms or their derivatives is prohibited. This shall include animals, seed and farm inputs such as fertilizers, soil conditioners, vaccines or crop protection materials.

The use of genetically engineered seeds, pollen, transgene plants or plant material is not allowed.

Organic processed products shall not use ingredients, additives or processing aids derived from GMOs.

In case it is suspected that products had been produced by genetic engineering inputs, processing aids and ingredients shall be traced back one step in the biological chain to the direct source organism *(see definition) from which they are produced to verify that they are not derived from GMOs.

Contamination of organic product by GMOs that results from circumstances beyond the control of the operator may alter the organic status of the operation and/ or product.

On farms with split (including parallel) production the use of genetically engineered organisms is not permitted in any production activity on the farm.

2.4. Wild harvested products and common/public land management

General Principle

Organic management sustains and prevents degradation of common biotic and abiotic resources, including areas used for rangeland, fisheries, forests, and forage for bees, as well as neighboring land, air, and water.

Standards:

Wild harvested products shall only be certified organic if they are derived from a stable and sustainable growing environment. The people who harvest, gather, or wildcraft shall not take any products at a rate that exceeds the sustainable yield of the ecosystem, or threaten the existence of plant, fungal or animal species, including those not directly exploited.

Operators shall harvest products only from a clearly defined area where prohibited substances have not been applied.

The collection or harvest area shall be at an appropriate distance from conventional farming, pollution and contamination.

The operator who manages the harvesting or gathering of common resource products shall be familiar with the defined collecting area.

3. General Requirements for Conversion

3.1. Conversion Requirements

General Principle

Organic agriculture develops a viable and sustainable agro-ecosystem, by working compatibly with natural living systems and cycles.

Standards:

There shall be a period of organic management, meeting all the requirements of these standards, before the resulting product may be considered as organic.

The time needed for conversion is two full calendar years. At the beginning, conversion carries the written obligation of the farmer to adhere closely to OAA standards. Full certification will follow from the third year after the conversion started, beginning with the summer feeding period in the case of animal products.

A full conversion period is not required where de facto full standards requirements have been met for several years and where this can be verified through numerous means and sources. In such cases inspection shall be carried out with a reasonable time interval before the first harvest.

3.2. Split Production and Parallel Production

General Principle

The whole farm, including livestock, is converted to organic management practices according to the standards over a period of time.

Standards:

The operator should convert the whole farm and the conversion plan should include the steps and approximate timeframe for the whole farm conversion. If the whole farm is not converted (split production) the organic and conventional parts of the farm shall be clearly and continuously separate and -this shall be verified by inspection.

· appropriate storage shall exist to ensure separate handling (no prohibited inputs stored within the organic farm incl. buildings);

· the documentation regarding the production shall be well managed and make clear distinctions between certified and not certified production;

· Simultaneous production of conventional, in conversion and/or organic crops or animal products that cannot be clearly distinguished from each other is not allowed unless a permission by OAA had been granted.

· OAA shall have access to the organic and conventional parts and the respective documentation and shall have the right to inspect the whole system where appropriate to ensure a clear separation.

Simultaneous production of the same organic and non-organic crops or animal products (parallel production) is only permitted with prior approval of OAA and where there is sufficient distance between the conventional and organic production and the production is undertaken in a way that allows clear and continuous separation of all product claimed as certified or certifiable as organic.

3.3. Maintenance of Organic Management

General Principle

Organic production systems require an ongoing commitment to organic production practices.

Standards:

The operator shall demonstrate that a production system does not rely upon continuous switching between organic and conventional management.

4. Crop Production

4.1. Choice of Crops and Varieties

General Principle

Species and varieties cultivated in organic agriculture systems are selected for adaptability to the local soil and climatic conditions and tolerance to pests and diseases.

Standards:

Organic seed and plant materials of appropriate varieties and quality shall be used. When they are not commercially available, OAA will set time limits for the use of non-organic seed and plant material.

When organic seed and plant materials are not available, conventional materials may be used provided that they have not been treated with pesticides not otherwise permitted by these standards. Locally produced seeds shall have preference.

Where untreated conventional seeds and plant materials are not available, chemically treated seed and plant material may only be used if no adequate untreated species are available and with prior permission of OAA. Permission for treated seeds shall only be granted by OAA until end of 2005.

4.2. Length of Conversion Period (Plant Production)

General Principle

A conversion period enables the establishment of an organic management system and builds soil fertility. .

Standards:

In the first year of conversion, after certification (1^st of May at the earliest), all crop-products of cultures sowed after the 1^st of January may be marketed under the OAA in-conversion-label. Cultures sowed before the 1^st of January may be marketed with the OAA in-conversion label, if the producer has registered for organic farming before the sowing date and has confirmed in writing that the culture in question has been cultivated from the date of sowing according to the standards of organic farming.

Fodder harvested in the first year of conversion (forage cereals, Lucerne etc.) that is fed to the producers own stock may be counted as organic fodder, independently of other standards. Fodder from the own farm harvested in the year before the conversion is considered to be non-organic fodder, except for roughage after 1^st of May of the conversion year.

Crop-products from perennial crops may be marketed under the OAA in-conversion-label after certification (1^st of May) of the first conversion year.

4.3. Diversity in Crop Production

General Principle

Soil and soil management is the foundation of organic production. Organic growing systems are soil based, care for the soil and surrounding ecosystems and provide support for a diversity of species, while encouraging nutrient cycling and mitigating soil and nutrient losses.

Standards:

Diversity in plant production and activity shall be assured by minimum crop rotation requirements and/or variety of plantings. Minimum rotation practices for annual crops shall be established unless the operator demonstrates diversity in plant production by other means. Operators are required to manage pressure from insects, weeds, diseases and other pests, while maintaining or increasing soil organic matter, fertility, microbial activity and general soil health.

Perennial corps should bear a complete vegetation cover all year round. Where this is not applicable due to insufficient humidity partly ploughing between the rows or mulching with biomass is allowed for a period of up to 4 months per year. The vegetation cover must comprise a diversity of species and be sustained so that a rich flora and fauna is encouraged.

4.4. Soil Fertility and Fertilization

General Principle

Organic farming returns microbial plant or animal material to the soil to increase or at least maintain its fertility and biological activity.

Standards:

Material of microbial, plant or animal origin shall form the basis of the fertility program.

Nutrients and fertility products shall be applied in a way that protects soil, water, and biodiversity.

Mineral fertilizers shall only be used in a program addressing long-term fertility needs together with other techniques such as organic matter additions, green manures, rotations and nitrogen fixation by plants. Mineral fertilizers shall be applied in the form in which they are naturally composed and extracted and shall not be rendered more soluble by chemical treatment, other than addition of water and mixing with other naturally occurring, permitted inputs.

Under exceptional circumstances, and after consideration of all relevant information OAA may grant exception to this requirement. These exceptions shall not apply to mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen.

Chilean nitrate and all synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers, including urea, are prohibited.

Organic farming systems apply biological and cultural means to prevent unacceptable losses from pests, diseases and weeds. They use crops and varieties that are well-adapted to the environment and a balanced fertility program to maintain fertile soils with high biological activity, locally adapted rotations, companion planting, green manures, and other recognized organic practices as described in these standards.

Standards:

All organic production systems should protect all the elements of agro-eco-systems and prevent from high intensity of pests, weeds and diseases under normal circumstances.

Pest, disease and weed management products that are prepared at the farm from local plants, animals and micro-organisms, are permitted when the measures in 4.5.1. are not sufficient.

Physical methods for pest, disease and weed management are permitted, including the application of heat.

Thermal sterilization of soils and substrates is permitted. In green houses flat steaming is allowed up to 10 cm. Deeply steaming or outdoor steaming is prohibited. Any solar energy technique is accepted.

Any input applied for plant pest, disease, weed, or growth management shall appear in Appendix 2 subject to the limitations of that Appendix.

General Principle

All relevant measures are taken to ensure that organic soil and food is protected from contamination.

The operator shall employ measures including barriers and buffer zones to avoid potential contamination and limit contaminants in organic products.

In case of a reasonable suspicion of contamination OAA will ensure that an analysis of the relevant products and possible sources of pollution (soil, water, air and inputs) is undertaken to determine the level of contamination and shall make the appropriate responses, such as detection of contamination sources, considering background contamination and other relevant factors.

For synthetic structure coverings, mulches, fleeces, insect netting and silage wrapping, only products based on polyethylene and polypropylene or other polycarbonates are permitted. These shall be removed from the soil after use and shall not be burned on the farmland.

All equipment from conventional farming systems shall be thoroughly cleaned of potentially contaminating materials before being used on organically managed areas.

5. Animal Husbandry

5.1. Animal Management

General Principle

Organic livestock husbandry is based on the harmonious relationship between land, plants and livestock. Livestock production forms an integral part of many agricultural holdings practicing organic farming. By utilising renewable natural resources (livestock manure, legumes and fodder crops), the cropping/stockfarming system and the pasturage systems allow soil fertility to be maintained and improved in the long term and contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture.

Standards:

The operator shall ensure that the environment, the facilities, stocking density and flock/herd size provides for the behavioral needs of the animals and provides for:

· sufficient free movement and opportunity to express normal patterns of behavior

· sufficient fresh air, water, feed and natural daylight to satisfy the needs of the animals

· access to resting areas, shelter and protection from sunlight, temperature, rain, mud and wind adequate to reduce animal stress

· the maintenance of social structures by ensuring that herd animals are not kept in isolation from other animals of the same species

· construction materials and production equipment that do not significantly harm human or animal health

This provision does not apply to small herds for mostly self-sufficient production. Operators may isolate male animals, sick animals and those about to give birth.

· animals have sufficient space to stand naturally, lie down easily, turn around, groom themselves and assume all natural postures and movements such as stretching, and wing flapping

· that construction provides for insulation, heating, cooling and ventilation of the building, that permits air circulation, dust levels, temperature, relative air humidity, and gas concentrations to within levels that are not harmful to the livestock

All animals shall have access to pasture or an open-air exercise area or run, whenever the physiological condition of the animal, the weather and the state of the ground permit. Such areas may be partially covered.

Animals may be temporarily confined because of inclement weather or absences of pasture due to temporary or seasonal conditions. Animals may be fed with carried fresh fodder where this is a more sustainable way to use land resources than grazing. Animal welfare shall not be compromised.

Organic stockfarming is a land-related activity. The number of animals per unit of area must be limited to ensure integrated management of livestock and crop production on the production unit, so minimising any form of pollution, in particular of the soil and of surface and ground water.

The number of livestock must be closely related to the area available in order to avoid problems of over-grazing and erosion and to allow for the preading of livestock manure so that any adverse effect on the environment can be avoided.

The stables shall have sufficient natural light. If artificial light is used to prolong natural day light a minimum of 8 hours for night’s rest of the animals shall be provided.

In organic stockfarming, all livestock on one and the same production unit must be reared in accordance with the rules laid down in these Standards.

However, livestock not reared in accordance with the provisions of these Standards may be present on the holding provided they are reared on units where the buildings and parcels are separated clearly from the units producing in accordance with the rules of these Standards, and a different species is involved.

Livestock not reared in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation can use ( for a limited period of time each year) the pasturage of units complying with these Standards, provided that such animals come from extensive husbandry and provided that other animals which are subject to the requirements of these Standards are not present on this pasturage at the same time. This must be authorized beforehand by the inspection authority or body.

Animals reared in accordance with the provisions of these Standards may be grazed on common land, providing that:

(a) the land has not been treated with products other than those allowed for in Appendices I and II of these Standards, for at least three years;

(b) any animals which use the land concerned ( which are not subject to the requirements of these Standards) are derived from extensive production; or, for other species not coming from the extensive production, the number of animals per ha corresponding to 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/hectare;

(c) any livestock products produced by animals reared in accordance with the provisions of these Standards, whilst using this land, shall not be regarded as being from organic-production, unless adequate segregation from other animals not complying with the requirements of these Standards, can be proved to the satisfaction of the inspection authority or body.

Where livestock are reared in groups, the size of the group must depend upon their stage of development and the behavioural needs of the species concerned. The keeping of livestock in conditions, or on a diet, which may encourage anaemia, is prohibited.

5.2. Length of Conversion Period

General Principle

The establishment of organic animal husbandry requires an interim period, the conversion period.

Animal husbandry systems that change from conventional to organic production require a conversion period to develop natural behavior, immunity and metabolic functions.

Standards:

Animal products may be sold as "product of organic agriculture" only after the land and animals have all met the appropriate established conversion requirements

Where a production unit is converted, the whole area of the unit used for animal feed must comply with the rules on organic farming, using the conversion periods relating to plants and plant products.

The conversion period may be reduced to one year for pasturages, open air runs and exercise areas used by non-herbivore species. This period may be reduced to six months where the land concerned has not, in the recent past, received treatments with products other than those referred to in Appendices of these Standards. This derogation must be authorised by the inspection authority or body.

If livestock products are to be sold as organic products, the livestock must be reared according to the rules laid down in these Standards for at least:

— 12 months in the case of equidae and bovines (including bubalus and bison species) for meat production, and in any case at least three quarters of their lifetime,

— 10 weeks for poultry for meat production, brought in before they are three days old,

For the constitution of a herd or flock, calves and small ruminants for meat production can be sold as organically reared during a transitional period (authorised by the inspection authority) provided that:

— they are reared in the organic-production unit until the time of sale or slaughter, for a minimum period of six months for calves and two months for small ruminants,

— the origin of the animals complies with the conditions expressed in the point 5.3 of this Chapter

Land and animals may be converted simultaneously subject to the requirements for all other land and animal conversions.

If there is simultaneous conversion of the complete production unit, including livestock, pasturage and/or any land used for animal feed, the total combined conversion period for both livestock, pasturage and/or any land used for animal feed, shall be reduced to 24 months subject to the following conditions:

(a) this rule is applied only to the existing animals and their offspring and at the same time also to the land used for animal feed/pasturage before starting the conversion;

5.3 . Animal Sources/ Origin

General Principle

Standards:

Animals may be freely purchased. However animals not borne and/or raised on an organic farm may only be sold as organic if the animal before it is sold has spend at least one year on an organic farm or, for short-living animals, at least two thirds of its life span.

In the choice of breeds or strains, account must be taken of the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions; their vitality, and their resistance to disease. 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 (e.g. porcine stress syndrome, PSE Syndrome, sudden death, spontaneous abortion, difficult births requiring caesarean operations, etc.). Preference is to be given to indigenous breeds and strains.

Livestock must come from production units which comply with the rules on the various types of livestock production, accordingly to these Standards. Throughout their life, this system of production must be applied.

Subject to the prior approval by the inspection authority or body, livestock existing on the livestock production unit, not complying with the rules of these Standards can be converted.

When a herd or flock is constituted for the first time and organically reared animals are not available in sufficient numbers, non-organically reared livestock may be brought into an organic livestock production unit, subject to the following conditions:

— calves and foals for breeding purposes must be reared according to the rules of this Regulation as soon as they are weaned and in any case they must be less than six months old,

— lambs and kids for breeding purposes must be reared according to the rules of this Regulation as soon as they are weaned and in any case must be less than 60 days old,

— piglets for breeding purposes must be reared according to the rules of this Regulation as soon as they are weaned and they must weigh less than 35 kg.

The renewal or reconstitution of the herd or flock shall be authorised by the control authority or body when organically reared animals are not available, and in the following cases:

(d) piglets for breeding purposes, as soon as they are weaned, of a weight less than 35 kg.

A farmer can buy conventional animals if organic animals are not available, and he has to prove it. The inspection body has to approve this buying.

Males for breeding may be brought in from non organic-production stockfarms provided that the animals are subsequently reared and always fed in accordance with the rules described in these Standards.

Where livestock comes from units not complying with the present Standards, the periods laid down in paragraph 5.2.3 must be observed if the products are to be sold as being from organic production and during these periods all the rules set out in these Standards must be complied with.

Where livestock is obtained from units not complying with these Standards, special attention must be paid to animal health measures. The inspection authority or body may apply, depending on local circumstances, special measures, such as screening tests, and quarantine periods.

5.4. Breeds and Breeding

General Principle

Standards:

Breeding systems shall be based on breeds that can reproduce successfully under natural conditions without human involvement.

Other forms of artificial or assisted reproduction such as embryo transfer techniques and cloning are prohibited.

Hormones are prohibited to induce ovulation and birth unless applied to individual animals for medical reasons and under veterinary supervision.

5.5. Mutilations

General Principle

Standards:

Operations such as attaching elastic bands to the tails of sheep, taildocking, cutting of teeth, trimming of beaks and dehorning must not be carried out systematically in organic farming.

Some of these operations may, however, be authorised by the inspection authority or body, for reasons of safety (for example dehorning in young animals) or if they are intended to improve the health, welfare or hygiene of the livestock. Such operations must be carried out at the most appropriate age by qualified personnel and any suffering to the animals must be reduced to a minimum.

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 the conditions set out in the last sentence of the point 5.5.2.

Keeping livestock tethered is forbidden. Nevertheless, the inspection authority or body, can authorize this practice for individual animals upon justification by the operator, that this is necessary for safety or welfare reasons, and that such tethering is only for a limited period of time.

Also, cattle can be tethered, provided that regular exercise is provided and rearing takes place in line with animal welfare requirements with comfortably littered areas as well as individual management.

Cattle in small holdings can be tethered if it is not possible to keep the cattle in groups appropriate to their behaviour requirements, provided they have at least twice a week access to pastures, open air runs or exercise areas. This must be authorised by the inspection authority or body, and shall apply to holdings which meet the requirements of natural rearing rules concerning organic production of livestock.

5.6. Animal Nutrition

General Principle

Organic animals receive their nutritional needs from organic forage and feed of good quality. Feed is intended to ensure quality production rather than maximizing production, while meeting the nutritional requirements of the livestock at various stages of their development.

Standards:

Animals should be fed on organically produced feedingstuffs. Up to 30 % of the feed formula of rations on average may comprise in-conversion feedingstuffs. When the in-conversion feedingstuffs come from a unit of the own holding, this percentage can be increased to 60 %. These figures shall be expressed as a percentage of the dry matter of feedingstuffs of agricultural origin.

The use of a limited proportion of conventional feedingstuffs is authorised where farmers can show to the satisfaction of the inspection body or authority that they are unable to obtain feed exclusively from organic production. Non-organic fodder contained in the total fodder ration must not exceed the following percentages:

· Other species: 20 % of the total dry matter of feedingstuffs consumption from agricultural origin.

The maximum percentage authorised of conventional feedingstuffs in the daily ration, except during the period each year when the animals are under transhumance, must be 25 % calculated as a percentage of the dry matter.

In cases of losses of the fodder yield, because of extraordinary weather conditions, the outbreak of infectious diseases, the contamination with toxic substances, or as a consequence of fires, OAA may authorize directly affected livestock keepers to feed a higher percentage of non-organic fodder for a limited time.

The prevailing part (at least more than 50%) of the feed shall come from the farm unit itself or be produced in co-operation with other organic farms in the region.

For the calculation of feeding allowances only, feed produced on the farm unit during the first year of organic management, may be classed as organic. This refers only to feed for animals that are being produced within the farm unit. Such feed may not be sold or otherwise marketed as organic.

· all types of excrements including droppings, dung or other manure (all types of excrements)

· feed subjected to solvent extraction (e.g. hexane) or the addition of other chemical agents

Animals may be fed vitamins, trace elements and supplements from natural sources. Synthetic vitamins, minerals and supplements may be used when natural sources are not available in sufficient quantity and quality.

All ruminants shall have daily access to roughage. Rearing systems for herbivores are to be based on maximum use of pasturage according to the availability of pastures in the different periods of the year. At least 60 % of the dry matter in daily rations is to consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage. Nevertheless, the inspection authority or body can permit a reduction to 50 % for animals in dairy production for a maximum period of three months in early lactation.

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

Conventional feed materials of agricultural origin can be used for animal feeding only if listed in Appendice III, part A/1 (Feed materials from plant origin), subject to the quantitative restrictions imposed in this Appendice, and only if they are produced or prepared without the use of chemical solvents.

Feed materials from animal origin (whether conventional or organically produced) can only be used if listed in Appendice III, part A/2, and subject to the quantitative restrictions imposed in this Appendice.

In order to satisfy nutritional requirements of livestock, only products listed in Appendice III, part A/3 (feed materials from mineral origin), and part B, sections 1.1 (trace elements) and 1.2 (vitamins, pro-vitamins and chemically well-defined substances having a similar effect), can be used for animal feeding.

Only products listed in Appendix III, part B, sections 1.3 (enzymes), 1.4 (micro-organisms), 1.5 (preservatives), 1.6 (binders, anti-caking agents and coagulants), 1.7 (antioxidant substances), 1.8 (silage additives), 2 (certain products used in animal nutrition) and 3 (processing aids in feedingstuffs) can be used in animal feeding for the purposes indicated in respect to the abovementioned categories.

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

Feedingstuffs, feed materials, compound feedingstuffs feed additives, processing aids for feedingstuffs and certain products used in animal nutrition must not have been produced with the use of genetically modified organisms or products derived therefrom.

Young stock from mammals shall be provided maternal milk or organic milk from their own species and shall be weaned only after a minimum time that takes into account the natural behavior of the relevant animal species. Operators may provide non-organic natural milk when organic milk is not available.

Operators may provide milk replacers or other substitutes only in emergencies provided that they do not contain antibiotics, synthetic additives or slaughter products

All mammals must be fed on natural milk for a minimum period, depending on the species concerned, which shall be three months for bovines (including bubalus and bison species) and equidae, 45 days for sheep and goats and 40 days for pigs.

Fattening practices are authorised in so far as they are reversible at any stage of the rearing process. Force-feeding is forbidden.

5.7. Veterinary Medicine

General Principle

Organic management practices promote and maintain the health and well-being of animals through balanced organic nutrition, stress-free living conditions and breed selection for resistance to diseases, parasites and infections.

Standards

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

(a) the selection of appropriate breeds or strains of animals as detailed in Section 5.4;

(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 high quality feed, together, with regular exercise and access to pasturage, 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.

The principles set out above, should limit animal-health problems so that they can be controlled mainly by prevention.

The operator shall take all practical measures to ensure the health and well-being of the animals through preventative animal husbandry practices.

If an animal becomes sick or injured despite preventative measures that animal shall be treated promptly and adequately, if necessary in isolation and in suitable housing. Producers shall 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.

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

(a) Phytotherapeutic (e.g. plant extracts (excluding antibiotics), essences, etc.), homeopathic products (e.g. plant, animal or mineral substances) and trace elements shall be used in preference to chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective

(a) for the species of animal, and the condition for which the treatment is intended;

(b) If the use of the above products should not prove, or is unlikely to be, effective in combating illness or injury, and treatment is essential to avoid suffering or distress to the animal, chemically synthesized allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian;

(c) The use of chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics for preventive treatments is prohibited;

(a) 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 (e.g. induction or synchronization of oestrus), or for other purposes, is prohibited. Nevertheless, hormones may be administered to an individual animal, as a form of therapeutic veterinary treatment;

(b) veterinary treatments to animals, or treatments to buildings, equipment and facilities, which are compulsory under national legislation shall be authorised, including the use of immunological veterinary medicinal products when a disease has been recognised as present in a specific area in which the production unit is located.

Whenever veterinary medicinal products are to be used the type of product must be recorded clearly, (including an indication of the active pharmacological substances involved) together with details of the diagnosis; the posology; the method of administration; the duration of the treatment, and the legal withdrawal period. This information is to be declared to the inspection authority or body before the livestock or livestock products are marketed as organically produced. Livestock treated must be clearly identified, individually in the case of large animals; individually or by batch, in the case of poultry and small animals.

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 or, in a case in which this period is not specified, 48 hours.

· when an endemic diseases is known or expected to be a problem in the region of the farm and where this diseases cannot be controlled by other management techniques; or

With the exception of vaccinations, treatments for parasites and any compulsory national eradication scheme, where an animal or group of animals receive more than two or a maximum of three courses of treatments with chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics within one year (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 being products produced in accordance with these Standards, and the livestock must undergo the conversion periods laid down in Section 5.2 of these Standards, subject to the agreement of the inspection authority or body.

5.8. Husbandry management practices, transport and identification of livestock products

General Principle

Standards:

All the animals should comply with all the above standards on Animal Husbandry, so that they can be reared organically, and their products marketed as organic.

Where producers do not apply these minimum slaughter ages, they must use slow-growing strains.

Transport of livestock must be carried out so as to limit the stress suffered by the animals in accordance with the relevant national or Community legislation in force. Loading and unloading must be carried out with caution and without the use of any type of electrical stimulation to coerce the animals. The use of any allopathic tranquilliser, prior to and during transport, is prohibited.

Organic animals are provided with conditions during transportation and slaughter that reduce and minimize the adverse effects of:

Each animal or group of animals should be identifiable at each step in the production, preparation, transport, slaughter and marketing process.

Slaughterhouse journey times shall not exceed eight hours. When there is no certified organic slaughterhouse within eight hours travel time, an animal may be transported for a period in excess.

5.9. Livestock manure

The total amount of manure, as defined in Directive 91/676/EEC (1), applied on the holding may not exceed 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/ hectare of agricultural area used. Where necessary, the total stocking density shall be reduced to avoid exceeding the limit expressed above.

To determine the appropriate density of livestock referred to above, the livestock units equivalent to 170 kg of Nitrogen per year/hectare of agricultural area used for the various categories of animals shall be set out by the competent authorities.

Operators shall communicate to the certification body and to OAA, any deviation from these figures and provide the reasons justifying such changes. This requirement relates only to the calculation of the maximum number of livestock for the purposes of ensuring that the limit of 170 kg of Nitrogen from manure per year/ hectare is not exceeded.

Organic-production holdings may establish cooperation exclusively with other holdings and enterprises, which comply with the provisions of these Standards, with the intention of spreading surplus manure from organic production. The maximum limit of 170 kg of Nitrogen from manure per year/hectare of agricultural used, will be calculated on the basis of all of the organic production units involved in such cooperation.

OAA may establish lower limits than those specified in paragraphs 5.9.1 to 5.9.4, taking into account the characteristics of the area concerned, the application of other nitrogen fertilisers to the land and the nitrogen supply to the crops from the soil.

Storage facilities for livestock manure must be of a capacity to preclude the pollution of water by direct discharge, or by run-off and infiltration of the soil.

To ensure sound fertiliser management, the capacity of such storage facilities for livestock manure must exceed the storage capacity required for the longest period of the year in which any application of fertiliser to the land is either inappropriate or when such application is prohibited, in cases where the production unit is located within a designated nitrate vulnerable zone.

5.10. Free range areas and livestock housing

Housing conditions for livestock must meet the livestock's biological and ethological needs (e.g. behavioural needs as regards appropriate freedom of movement and comfort). The livestock must have easy access to feeding and watering. Insulation, heating and ventilation of the building must ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration, are kept within limits which are not harmful to the animals. The building must permit plentiful natural ventilation and light to enter.

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

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

The stocking density in buildings shall provide for the comfort and well being of the animals which, in particular, shall depend 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 optimum density will seek to ensure the animals' welfare by providing them with sufficient space to stand naturally, lie down easily, turn round, groom themselves, assume all natural postures and make all natural movements such as stretching and wing flapping.

The minimum surface areas for indoor housing and outdoor exercise areas, and other characteristics of housing for different species and categories of animals, are laid down in Appendix 4.

The outdoor stocking density of livestock kept on pasturage, other grassland, heathland, wetland, heather, and other natural or semi-natural habitats, must be low enough to prevent poaching of the soil and over grazing of vegetation.

Housing, pens, equipment and utensils must be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease carrying organisms. Only the products listed in Part E of Appendix III can be used for such cleaning and disinfection of livestock buildings and installations. Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt food must be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting insects or rodents. Only the products used for the biological pest control listed in Appendix II can be used for the elimination of insects and other pests in buildings and other installations where livestock is kept.

Subject to the provisions in paragraph 5.3, all mammals must have access to pasturage or an open-air exercise area or an open-air 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, unless there are Community or national requirements relating to specific animal health problems that prevent this. Herbivores, must have access to pasturage whenever conditions allow.

In cases where herbivores have access to pasturage during the grazing period and where the winter-housing system gives freedom of movement to the animals, the obligation to provide open-air exercise areas or open-air runs during the winter months may be waived.

Notwithstanding the last sentence of paragraph 8.3.1, bulls over one year old must have access to pasturage or an open-air exercise area or an open-air run.

By way of derogation from paragraph 5.10.3.1, the final fattening phase of cattle pigs and sheep for meat production may take place indoors, provided that this indoors period does not exceed one fifth of their lifetime and in any case for a maximum period of three months.

Livestock housing must have smooth, but not slippery floors. At least half of the total floor area must be solid, that is, not of slatted or of grid construction.

The housing must be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying/rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material must be provided in the rest area. The litter must comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with any mineral product authorised for use as a fertilizer in organic farming in accordance with Part A of Annex II.

As regards the rearing of calves, from 24 August 2000, all holdings, without derogation, must comply with Directive 91/629/EEC (1) laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves. The housing of calves in individual boxes is forbidden after the age of one week.

As regards the rearing of pigs, from 24 August 2000, all holdings must comply with Council Directive 91/630/EEC (1) laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs. However, 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. For the purposes of rooting different substrates can be used.

Water fowl must have access to a stream, pond or lake whenever the weather conditions permit in order to respect animal welfare requirements or hygienic conditions.

- at least one third shall be solid, that is, not of slatted or of grid construction, and covered with a litter material such as straw, wood shavings, sand or turf;

- in poultry houses for laying hens, a sufficiently large part of the floor area available to the hens must be available for the collection of bird droppings;

- they must have perches of a size and number commensurate with the size of the group and of the birds as laid down in Appendix 4 Part 2;

- they must have exit/entry pop-holes of a size adequate for the birds, and these pop-holes must have a combined length of at least 4 m per 100 m2 area of the house available to the birds;

- 4 000 female Muscovy or Peking ducks or 3 200 male Muscovy or Peking ducks or other ducks,

- the total usable area of poultry houses for meat production on any single production unit, must not exceed 1 600 m2.

In the case of laying hens 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.

Poultry must have access to an open-air run whenever the weather conditions permit and, whenever possible, must have such access for at least one third of their life. These open-air runs must be mainly covered with vegetation be provided with protective facilities, and permit animals to have easy access to adequate numbers of drinking and feeding troughs.

For health reasons, buildings must be emptied of livestock between each batch of poultry reared. The buildings and fittings are to be cleaned and disinfected during this time. In addition, when the rearing of each batch of poultry has been completed, runs must be left empty to allow vegetation to grow back, and for health reasons. These requirements shall not apply to small numbers of poultry which are not kept in runs and which are free to roam, throughout the day.

5.11. Bee Keeping

General Principle

Bee keeping is an important activity that contributes to enhancement of the agriculture and forestry production through the pollinating action of bees.

Standards:

Hives shall be situated in organically managed fields and/or wild natural areas. Hives may be placed in an area that ensures access to sources of honeydew, nectar and pollen that meets organic crop production requirements sufficient to supply all of the bees’ nutritional needs.

The operator shall not place hives within foraging distance of fields or other areas with a high contamination risk.

At the end of the production season, hives shall be left with reserves of honey and pollen sufficient for the colony to survive the dormancy period.

Any supplementary feeding shall be carried out only between the last honey harvest and the start of the next nectar or honeydew flow period. In such cases, organic honey or sugar shall be used. Sugar from non-organic source may be used if accepted by OAA. Such approval may be only provided by OAA if it is required by extreme climatic conditions and if organic sugar is not available.

Bee colonies may be converted to organic production. Introduced bees shall come from organic production units when available. Bee products may be sold as organically produced when the requirements of these Standards have been complied with for at least one year.

During the conversion period the wax shall be replaced by organically produced wax. Where no prohibited products have been previously used in the hive and there is no risk of contamination of wax, replacement of wax is not necessary. In cases where all the wax cannot be replaced during a one-year period, the conversion period may be extended with the approval of OAA.

Each beehive shall primarily consist of natural materials. Use of construction materials with potentially toxic effects is prohibited.

· other preparations which are approved by OAA based on the approval lists on other organic certification bodies.

Where preventative measures fail, veterinary medicinal products may be used provided that:

· if allopathic chemically synthesized medicinal products are used, the bee products shall not be sold as organic

· treated hives shall be placed in isolation and undergo a conversion period of one year

The practice of destroying the male brood is permitted only to contain infestation with Varroa jacobsoni (mites).

The health and welfare of the hive shall be primarily achieved by hygiene and hive management

The destruction of bees in the combs as a method of harvesting of bee products is prohibited.

The use of chemical synthetic bee repellents is prohibited during honey extraction operations.

The use of smoke should be kept to a minimum. Acceptable smoking materials should be natural or from materials that meet the requirements of these standards.

6. Processing and Handling

6.1. General

Organic processing and handling provides consumers with nutritious, high quality supplies of organic products and organic farmers with a market without compromise to the organic integrity of their products.

Handlers and processors shall not co-mingle organic products with non-organic products.

All organic products shall be clearly identified as such, and stored and transported in a way that prevents contact with conventional product through the entire process.

The handler and processor shall take all necessary measures to prevent organic products from being contaminated by pollutants and contaminants, including the cleaning, decontamination, or if necessary disinfection of facilities and equipment.

6.2. Ingredients

General Principle

Standards:

All ingredients used in an organic processed product shall be organically produced except for those additives and processing aids that appear in Appendix 3 and non-organically produced ingredients that are in compliance with the labeling provisions. For wine appendix 3 is not valid. OAA will adapt Appendix 3 until 2004 in order to add the necessary processing aids and additives for wine making.

In cases where an ingredient of organic origin is unavailable in sufficient quality or quantity, OAA may authorize use of non-organic raw materials. These materials shall not be genetically engineered

Comment: In the EU regulation there is no restrictions for additives and aids used for wine processing. However in the IFOAM standards and a lot of private standards detailed standards for wine processing exist.

Water and salt may be used as ingredients in the production of organic products and are not included in the percentage calculations of organic ingredients.

6.2.3. Minerals (including trace elements), vitamins and similar isolated ingredients shall not be used unless their use is legally required or where severe dietary or nutritional deficiency can be demonstrated.

Preparations of micro-organisms and enzymes commonly used in food processing may be used, with the exception of genetically engineered micro-organisms and their products.

6.3. Processing Methods

General Principle

Organic food is processed by biological, mechanical and physical methods in a way that maintains the vital quality of each ingredient and the finished product.

Standards:

Techniques used to process organic food shall be biological, physical, and mechanical in nature. Any additives, processing aids, or other substances that chemically react with or modify organic foods shall comply with the requirements of Appendix 4.

Extraction shall only take place with water, ethanol, plant and animal oils, vinegar, carbon dioxide, nitrogen. These shall be of a quality appropriate for their purpose.

Filtration techniques that chemically react with or modify organic food on a molecular basis shall be restricted. Filtration equipment shall not contain asbestos, or utilize techniques or substances that may negatively affect the product.

6.4. Pest and Disease Control

General Principle

Organic food is protected from pests and diseases by the use of good manufacturing practices that include proper cleaning, sanitation and hygiene, without the use of chemical treatment or irradiation.

Standards shall require that:

A handler or processor is required to manage pests and shall use the following methods according to these priorities:

1. preventative methods such as disruption, elimination of habitat and access to facilities

Prohibited pest control practices include, but are not limited to, the following substances and methods:

· fumigation with ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, aluminum phosphide or other substance not contained in Appendix 3

The direct use or application of a prohibited method or material renders that product no longer organic. The operator shall take necessary precautions to prevent contamination, including the removal of organic product from the storage or processing facility, and measures to decontaminate the equipment or facilities. Application of prohibited substances to equipment or facilities shall not contaminate organic product handled or processed therein. Application of prohibited substances to equipment or facilities shall not compromise the organic integrity of product handled or processed therein.

6.5. Packaging

General Principle

Organic product packaging has minimal adverse impacts on the product or on the environment.

Standards:

Packaging materials, and storage containers, or bins that contain a synthetic fungicide, preservative, or fumigant are prohibited.

Organic produce shall not be packaged in reused bags or containers that have been in contact with any substance likely to compromise the organic integrity of product or ingredient placed in those containers.

7. Labeling

General Principle

Organic products are clearly and accurately labeled as “organic”. It is agreed for these standards that “organic” and “bio” are used synonymous.

Standards:

The person or company legally responsible for the production or processing of the product and the certification body shall be identifiable.

To be labeled as “produce of organic agriculture” or equivalent protected terms, a product shall comply with at least these standards.

The use of the OAA Logo is possible if the operator has a contract with OAA and if the raw material and ingredients had been produced according to the OAA standards.

Mixed products where not all ingredients, including additives, are of organic origin and products that are entirely in compliance with these standards, shall be labeled in the following way (percentages in this section refer to raw material weight):

· Where a minimum of 95% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, products may be labeled “certified organic" or equivalent and should carry the OAA logo.

· Where less than 95% but not less than 70% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, products may not be called "organic". The word "organic" may be used on the principal display in statements like "made with organic ingredients" provided there is a clear statement of the proportion of the organic ingredients. An indication that the product is covered by the certification body may be used, close to the indication of proportion of organic ingredients.

· Where less than 70% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, no indication that an ingredient is organic shall appear. Such product may not be called "organic" or have any referral to OAA.

All ingredients of a multi-ingredient product shall be listed on the product label in order of their weight percentage. It shall be apparent which ingredients are of organic certified origin and which are not. All additives shall be listed with their full name. If herbs and/or spices constitute less than 2% of the total weight of the product, they may be listed as “spices" or “herbs" without stating the percentage.

Added water and salt shall not be included in the percentage calculations of organic ingredients.

The label for conversion products shall be clearly distinguishable from the label for organic products.

Organic products shall not be labeled as GMO-free in the context of these standards. Any reference to genetic engineering on product labels shall be limited to the production and processing methods themselves having not used GMOs.

8. Social Justice

General Principle

Social justice and social rights are an integral part of organic agriculture and processing.

Standards:

In cases where production is based on violation of basic human rights and clear cases of social injustice, that product cannot be declared as organic.

Operators shall provide their employees and contractors equal opportunity and treatment, and shall not act in a discriminatory way.

Children employed by organic operators shall be provided with educational opportunities.

Women shall not have any disadvantages. e.g. in regard to work and working conditions or wages, due to their gender.

9. General requirements

9.1. Contract

Use of the OAA logo requires the signing of the producer contract with OAA and approval by OAA that the operator complies with the OAA Standard. The contract includes a provision that all documentation and information of the farm necessary for certification purposes (see 9.2.) has to be kept confidential by OAA.

9.2 Documentation and Inspection

Records have to be kept by the operators to enable an efficient inspection and assessment whether the operators comply with the standards. For single farmer certification the documentation includes, but is not limited to the following documents. OAA will provide support in preparing the documents.

· records on plant production, e.g. crop rotation, applied fertilizers and plant protection products, harvested amounts

· documentation/receipts of brought-in inputs (seeds, fertilizers, plant protection, etc.)

· documentation on animal husbandry (e.g. animals coming in and going out, vetenary measurements, feed rations)

· Documentation on the structure of the smallholder group (organisation chart, statutes or constitution of the organisation)

· Documented purchase system with samples of all documents (i.e. delivery notes; reception notes etc.)

For Internal Control Systems the following documentation is required in addition to 9.2.2

o Completely filled in inspection report forms of 100% of the farmers registered in the organic programme Name or code of the internal inspector

Appendix 1. Fertilizers and soil conditioners

Name	Description, requirements and conditions for use
Farmyard manure	Product comprising a mixture of animal excrement and vegetable matter (animal breeding)
Dried farmyard manure and dehydrated poultry manure	Coming from extensive husbandry .Manure from industrial poultry is forbidden, or need recognized by the inspection authority.
Composted animal excrements, including poultry manure	Need recognized by inspection body. Need identification of animal species. Factory farming origin forbidden.
Liquid animal excrements (urine, slurry etc)	Need recognized by inspection body. Factory farming forbidden.
Composted or fermented household waste	Need waste planting materials must before the use, must be completely decomposed. Seeds of weeds must be destroyed.
Peat	Use only on seedling production on vegetable
Sawdust	Wood not chemically treated after felling
Composted bark	Wood not chemically treated after felling
Wood ash	If is originated from wood not chemically treated after felling
Soft ground rock phosphate	Need recognized by inspection body
Calcium carbonate of natural origin	Need recognized by inspection body
Magnesium sulfate (for instance, kieserite)
Magnesium and calcium carbonate of natural origin	Only natural origin
Calcium sulfate (gypsum)	Only of natural origin
Calcium cloride solution	Foliar treatment of apple trees.
Extract from Komfrej plants	Foliar treatment on different plants
Potassium sulfate, possibly containing magnesium salt	Product obtained from crude potassium salt by physical extraction process, and containing possibly also authority
Nutrient-N	100 % natural
Nutrient –P	100 % natural
Nutrient –K	100 % natural
Nutrient –Fe	100 % natural
Biofighter	100 natural
Fenitror –N	100 natural
Corrector Fe-Mg-Ca	100 natural
Oleo Potasiko	50% potassium
Trace elements	Need recognized by the inspection body

Appendix 2. Products allowed for plant protection in organic agriculture

A. Insecticides and acaricides

Brand name of the product	Name of the active material	Level of poisoning	Action field and additional comments
Extract from Quesia plant	Extract from Quesia plant	Non poisonous	Plum bumblebee, partly effective also for afids in vegetables and decorative plants; against afids
Onion and garlic extract	Plant extract	Non poisonous	Against afids in the agricultural crops and decorative ones
Vaj kolze (Rapsi)	Plant extract	Non poisonous	Kundra breshkezave ne pemtari, efekt te pjeseshem kundra morrave, kepushave, kepushes se dardhes, flutures dimerore ne pemtari
Kumulus, Thiovit and other sulfur formulime te tjera me baze squfuri	Squfur		Kepushat e familjes fitoseide (kepushat ne forme krimbi)
Spinosad	Burim nga metabolizmi I mikroorganizmave te tokes		Tripset, krahebardhat, flutura e lakres, miza ullirit
Delfin	Bacillus thuringiensis	Non poisonous	Tenja e rrushit,
Novodor	Bacillus Var. tenebrionis	Non poisonous	Buburecib I patates, ne patate, patllixhan etj.
Virus-Granuloze, Capex 2	Viruse	Non poisonous	Akripset (gryresit e lekures frutave)
Madex 2, Madex 3, Granupon Neu	Viruse	Non poisonous	Krimbin e molles
Bio 1020	Kerpudha Metahizium anisoplae	Non poisonous	Hundegjatit te vreshtit
BioSlug			Kundra kermijve te fushes
Nematodat	Nematodat	Non poisonous	Kundra brumbujve
Aphidoletes aphidomyza	Insekt I dobishem(predator)	Not harmful for the plant	Afidet ne te gjitha bimet, sidomos ne perimet e serrave
Amblyseius spp.	Insekt I dobishem	Not harmful for the plant	Kundra tripsit te qepes
Phytoseiulus persimilis	Kepushe e dobishme, predatore	Not harmful for the plant	Ushqehet me kepushat demtues te bimeve, perdoret gjeresisht ne perimet ne serra kundra zakonshme te perimeve
Encarsia formosa	Insekt I dobishe, parazit	Not harmful for the plant	Ushqehet me krahebardhen e serrave
Vajra minerale	Vajra te ndryshme minerale ose iushqimore	Non poisonous	Lufton bershkezat, afidet dhe tenjat minuese
Ferromone konfuzive RAK 1 dhe RAK 1 +2	Ferromone	Non poisonous	Tenjen e rrushit
Sicid	Rotenon	Non poisonous	Kepushat, tripset, krahebardhen, mizen e ullirit
Azadirachtin (NemmAzal-T/S	Azidirachtin A(10 gr/ liter)	Non poisonous	Afidet, kepushat, krhebardha ne perime
Pyrethrin + vaj sesami (Perakxan N )	5% Pyrethrin, 20 % vaj sesami	Non poisonous	Afide, kepusha, krahebardhen, tripset, buburecin e patates

B. Fungicide

Emri tregetar I produktit	Emri lendes vepruese	Klasa e helmueshmerise	Fusha e veprimit dhe shenime plotesuese
Funguran OH WP	Cuprum hydroxide	4	Shume semundje kerpudhore dhe bakteriale ne shume bime bujqesore.
Champion flow	24% baker I paster	4	Si me siper
Kocide DF	40 % baker ipaster	4	Si me siper
Mikroperl	40 % baker I paster	4	Si me siper
Leng bordoles tradicional	24 % baker I paster	4	Si me siper
Cueva	10 % kripe bakri	4	Vrugun e patates
Vitigran 50%	50% baker te paster	4	Vrugjet dhe bakteriozat ne bime te ndryshme
Formulime me baze squfuri	Me 80 % Squfur	5	Hiret dhe kromen ene molle
1	Kumulus	5	Hiret ne te gjitha bimet
2	Thiovit	5	Hiret ne te gjitha bimet
3	Elosal supra	5	Hiret ne te gjitha bimet
4	Sufralo	5	Hiret ne te gjitha bimet
5	Solfovit WG	5	Hiret ne te gjitha bimet
6	Solfovit fluid	5	Hiret ne te gjitha bimet
7	Michrothiol spacial	5	Hiret ne te gjitha bimet
Lecitin	Lecitin	Non poisonous	Hiret
Florfluid	Squfur pluhur	Non poisonous	Hiret
Myko - Sin	65 % squfur dhe dhe I bluar	Non poisonous	Hirat dhe zjarrin bakterial ne farore

Appendix 3.

A. Feed materials

Cereals, grains, their products and by-products. Only the following substances are included in this category: oats as grains, flakes, middlings, hulls and bran; barley as grains, protein and middlings; rice germ expeller; millet as grains; rye as grains and middlings; sorghum as grains; wheat as grains, middlings, bran, gluten feed, gluten and germ; spelt as grains; triticale as grains; maize as grains, bran, middlings, germ expeller and gluten; malt culms; brewers' grains.

Oil seeds, oil fruits, their products and by-products. Only the following substances are included in this category:

rape seed, expeller and hulls; soya bean as bean, toasted, expeller and hulls; sunflower seed as seed and expeller; cotton as seed and seed expeller; linseed as seed and expeller; sesame seed as expeller; palm kernels as expeller; pumpkin seed as expeller; olives, olive pulp; vegetable oils (from physical extraction).

Legume seeds, their product and by-products. Only the following substances are included in this category:

chickpeas as seeds, middlings and bran; ervil as seeds, middlings and bran; chickling vetch as seeds submitted to heat treatment, middlings and bran; peas as seeds, middlings, and bran; broad beans as seeds, middlings and bran; horse beans as seeds middlings and bran, vetches as seeds, middlings and bran and lupin as seeds, middlings and bran.

Tuber, roots, their products and by-products. Only the following substances are included in this category:

Sugar beet pulp, potato, sweet potato as tuber, potato pulp (by-product of the extraction of potato starch), potato starch, potato protein and manioc.

Other seeds and fruits, their products and by-products. Only the following substances are included in this category:

carob, carob pods and meals thereof, pumpkins, citrus pulp; apples, quinces, pears, peaches, figs, grapes and pulps thereof; chestnuts, walnut expeller, hazelnut expeller; cocoa husks and expeller; acorns.

Forages and roughages. Only the following substances are included in this category:

lucerne, lucerne meal, clover, clover meal, grass (obtained from forage plants), grass meal, hay, silage, straw of cereals and root vegetables for foraging.

Other plants, their products and by-products. Only the following substances are included in this category:

Molasses, seaweed meal (obtained by drying and crushing seaweed and washed to reduce iodine content), powders and extracts of plants, plant protein extracts (solely provided to young animals), spices and herbs.

The following feed materials may be used until 30 June 2004: rice as grain, rice broken, rice bran, rye feed, rye bran, turnip rape seed expeller, turnip rape seed hulls and tapioca.

Milk and milk products. Only the following substances are included in the category:

raw milk (possibly organic), milk powder, skimmed milk, skimmed-milk powder, buttermilk, buttermilk powder, whey, whey powder, whey powder low in sugar, whey protein powder (extracted by physical treatment), casein powder, lactose powder, curd and sour milk.

Fish, other marine animals, their products and by-products. Only the following substances are included in the category:

Fish, fish oil and cod-liver oil not refined; fish molluscan or crustacean autolysates, hydrolysate and proteolysates obtained by an enzyme action, whether or not in soluble form, solely provided to young animals, fish meal.

Eggs and egg products for use as poultry feed, preferably from the same holding.

B. Feed additives, certain substances used in animal nutrition and processing aids used in feedingstuffs

Vitamins, provitamins and chemically well defined substances having a similar effect. Only the following substances are included in this category:

— Preferably derived from raw materials occurring naturally in feedingstuffs, or

— Synthetic vitamins identical to natural vitamins only for monogastric animals.

The competent certification authority may authorise the use of synthetic vitamins of types A, D and E for ruminants in so far as the following conditions are met:

Producers may benefit from this authorisation only if they have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the inspection body or authority that the health and welfare of their animals cannot be guaranteed without the use of these synthetic vitamins.

Microorganisms. Only the following microorganisms are included in this category:

The use of lactic, formic, propionic and acetic acid in the production of silage shall be only permitted when weather conditions do not allow for adequate fermentation.

Binders, anti-caking agents and coagulants. Only the following substances are included in this category:

Antioxidant substances. Only the following substances are included in this category:

Enzymes, yeasts and bacteria authorised by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition.

Processing aids for silage. Only the following substances are included in this category:

— Sea salt, coarse rock salt, whey, sugar, sugar beet pulp, cereal flour and molasses,

— Till 18 October 2004, enzymes, yeasts, and lactic, acetic, formic, and propionic bacteria.

C. Products authorised for cleaning and disinfection of livestock buildings and installations (e.g. equipment and utensils)

D. Other products

Appendix 4. Minimum surface areas indoors and outdoors and other characteristics of housing in the different species and types of production

(*) Only in the case of mobile houses not exceeding 150 m² floor space which remain open at night.

A. Food additives, including carriers

Salt (with sodium chloride or potassium chloride as basic components), generally used in food processing.

Any preparations of micro-organisms normally used in food processing, with the exception of micro-organisms genetically modified

A.5 Minerals (trace elements included), vitamins, amino-acids and other nitrogen compounds

Minerals (trace elements included), vitamins, amino-acids and other nitrogen compounds, only authorized as far their use is legally required in the foodstuffs in which they are incorporated.

B. Processing aids and other products which may be used for processing

Any preparations of micro-organisms and enzymes normally used as processing aids in food processing, with the exception of micro-organisms genetically modified and with the exception of enzymes derived from genetically modified organisms.

	Indoors area (net area available to animals)		Outdoors area (exercise area, excluding pasturage)
	Live weight minimum (kg)	M²/head	M²/head
Breeding and fattening bovine and equidae	up to 100 up to 200 up to 350 over 350	1,5 2,5 4,0 5 with a minimum of 1 m²/100 kg	1,1 1,9 3 3,7 with a minimum of 0,75 m²/100 kg
Dairy cows		6	4,5
Bulls for breeding		10	30
Sheep and goats		1,5 sheep/goat 0,35 lamb/kid	2,5 2,5 with 0,5 per lamb/kid
Farrowing sows with piglets up to 40 days		7,5 sow	2,5
Fattening pigs	up to 50 up to 85 up to 110	0,8 1,1 1,3	0,6 0,8 1
Piglets	over 40 days and up to 30 kg	0,6	0,4
Brood pigs	6,0 male	2,5 female 8,0	1,9

Name		Specific conditions
E 170	Calcium carbonates	All authorized functions except coloring
E 270	Lactic acid
E 290	Carbon dioxide
E 296	Malic acid
E 300	Ascorbic acid
E 306	Tocopherol-rich extract	Anti-oxidant in fats and oils
E 322	Lecithins
E 330	Citric acid
E 333	Calcium citrates
E 334	Tartaric acid (L(+)-)
E 335	Sodium tartrate
E 336	Potassium tartrate
E 341(i)	Monocalcium phosphate	raising agent for self-raising flour
E 400	Alginic acid
E 401	Sodium alginate
E 402	Potassium alginate
E 406	Agar
E 407	Carrageenan	5>
E 410	Locust bean gum
E 412	Guar gum
E 413	Tragacanth gum
E 414	Arabic gum
E 415	Xanthan gum
E 416	Karaga gum
E 422	Glycerol	Plant extracts
E 440 (i)	Pectin
E 500	Sodium carbonates
E 501	Potassium carbonates
E 503	Ammonium carbonates
E 504	Magnesium carbonates
E 516	Calcium sulphate	Carrier
E 524	Sodium hydroxide	Surface treatment of Laugengebäck
E 551	Silicon dioxide	Anti-caking agent for herbs and spices
E 938	Argon
E 941	Nitrogen
E 948	Oxygen

Name	Specific conditions
Water
Calcium chloride	coagulation agent
Calcium carbonate
Calcium hydroxide
Calcium sulphate	coagulation agent
Magnesium chloride (or nigari)	coagulation agent
Potassium carbonate	drying of grapes
Sodium carbonate	Sugar production
Sodium hydroxide	Sugar production
Sulphuric acid	Sugar production
Isopropanol (propan-2-ol)	In the crystallization process in sugar preparation
Carbon dioxide
Nitrogen
Ethanol solvent
Tannic acid	Filtration aid
Egg white albumen
Casein
Gelatin
Isinglass
Vegetable oils	greasing, releasing or anti-foaming agent
Silicon dioxide	gel or colloidal solution
Activated carbon
Talc
Bentonite
Kaolin
Diatomaceous earth
Perlite
Hazelnut shells
Rice meal
Beeswax	releasing agent
Carnauba wax	releasing agent

Introduction

Definitions

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3.2. Split Production and Parallel Production

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6.4. Pest and Disease Control

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