Organic animal husbandry needs scientific support

Summary

Organic farming is based on the idea of an environmentally-friendly food production system with high animal welfare standards. But in the real world there are many difficulties in reaching these goals. Many problems in animal health and welfare remain unresolved, presenting a challenge for individual producers and the industry as a whole. These inculde: achieving balanced, 100%-organic, feed rations that produce adequate growth rates and high quality products, animal-friendly transport and slaughtering, the sustainable use of local resources and, last but not least, profitability and the efficent use of resources.