Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Livestock Production: Conclusions and Recommendations of a Networking Project

Summary

The basic objectives of the International Federation of Organic Farming Movements (IFOAM) consists of 17 standards (IFOAM, 2000). Only three of these standards refer to organic livestock production: maintenance of biodiversity, freedom and access to natural behaviour to livestock and promotion of a balanced mix of crop and livestock production, leading to closed and sustainable nutrient cycles. These principles contain no explicit objectives to maintain or promote high animal health and welfare standards. Consumers, however, equate organic livestock production with high welfare standards and the European Commission Regulation 1804/99 (CEC, 1999) governing organic livestock production in the Community area contains strong implicit standards that appear to be designed to enhance both health and welfare of organically managed stock. Recently, questions have been raised in regard to the ability of the organic production methods to support good animal welfare and health status in livestock. The conclusions of a networking project in Europe go some way in responding to those questions.