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DEAR NEW FARM:
Where does it state in the NOP section that pasture land must
be provided for all species of livestock? Must animals be
individually ear tagged with accompanying records in order
to qualify for organic production?
Joanne Berger
DEAR JOANNE:
We put your question to our organic policy specialist, Jim
Riddle. He now holds the endowed chair in agricultural systems
at the University of Minnesota and is a longtime advocate
of sustainable agriculture. Here’s what Jim had to say:
“The NOP does not state that pasture must be provided
to all species of livestock. Section 205.239(a)(1) states
that every operation must provide ‘access to the outdoors,
shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight
suitable to the species, its stage of production, the climate,
and the environment.’ 205.239(a)(2) requires access
to pasture for ruminants.
“Section 205.236(c) requires that, ‘the producer
of an organic livestock operation must maintain records
sufficient to preserve the identity of all organically managed
animals and edible and nonedible animal products produced
on the operation.’ Section 205.103 contains further
record keeping requirements which must be met by all organic
operations. Under that section, records must: be adapted
to the operation; fully disclose all activities and transactions
in sufficient detail as to be readily understood and audited;
be maintained for at least 5 years; demonstrate compliance
with the NOP; and be available for inspection and copying.
“The NOP does not mandate the use of individual ear
tags, but, for large animals, ear tags, neck chains, tattoos,
and brands are commonly used to satisfy the animal identification
requirement. Individual animal records are generally maintained
for large animals. Group or flock records are generally
used for smaller species such as poultry.”
NF
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