• Farming companies are permitted to keep animals not reared according to the organic method, provided they are reared in different units provided with buildings and land parcels that are completely separate from the production units that comply with the organic production standards, and provided the two sets of animals are of different species.
• Animals not reared according to the organic method may use organic pasture for a maximum period of one year, and that organically reared animals do use the same pasture at the same time.
• Animals reared according to the organic method may use a common pasture area, or areas owned by public authorities; (a) area has not been treated with products not approved for organic production for at least three years, (b) any animals not organically reared and that use the pasture in question originate from an agricultural system, (c) animal products obtained from animals reared according to the organic method, during the period they are using the common pasture, are not considered organic unless it can be demonstrated that the organically reared animals have been completely separated from other non-organically reared animals.
• Castration is permitted. During the transitional period that ends on 31 December 2011, piglets may be castrated without anaesthetic and/or analgesics.
• Electrical stimulation to force the animals during operations involving loading and unloading animals shall not be use of any kind in any way
• Use of allopathic tranquilisers is prohibited.

FEED

FOR LIVESTOCK

• Feed is intended to ensure quality production rather than maximizing production, while meeting the nutritional and behavioural requirements of the livestock at various stages of their development.
• Fattening practices are authorized in so far as they are reversible at any stage of the rearing process.
• Force-feeding is forbidden.
• Livestock must be fed on organically produced feedstuffs of good quality. The ration shall be calculated in dry matter (SS).
• All young mammals are fed on mother’s milk in preference to natural milk, for a minimum period of 3 months for bovine species (including the species of Bubalus e Bison) and equine species, 45 days for ovine and caprine species and 40 days for porcine species.

FOR BEES

• Feed must be honey, organic sugar syrup or organic sugar.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE

• Use of allopathic medicines obtained by chemical synthesis / use of antibiotics for preventative purposes is prohibited.
• Use of substances for stimulating growth or production (including antibiotics, coccidiostats and other artificial growth stimulants) in addition to the use of hormones or similar substances for controlling reproduction or for other purposes (eg. to induce or synchroniseoestrus) is prohibited.