EU Extends Derogation over Non-Organic Feed Ingredients for Organic Poultry

In what is thought to be a unique case, the EU has decided to extend the derogation allowing five per cent non-organic feed ingredients in organic diets for poultry and pigs.

Until the end of last year, producers were able to feed five per cent of non-organic feed to organic pigs and poultry.

However, on 1 January 2012, European legislation was set to come into play which would have meant that all organic poultry and pig producers would have to have fed 100 per cent organic feed.

Instead, the European Commission has said that it will extend the derogation after the industry expressed concerns for animal welfare.

Ruth Mason, Food Chain Advisor at the National Farmers' Union (NFU) in England, said that there is not sufficient quantity or quality organic feed to allow producers to feed a 100 per cent organic diet.

Feeding animals lower quality diets could lead to stress on nutritional requirements, which would significantly impact animal welfare, as well as potentially damage the organic brand.

Legislation to extend the derogation has not yet been passed; it is expected to be completed at the end of February/early March 2012 and will be applied retrospectively.

It is likely the extension will be until the end of 2014, giving producers another three years until 100 per cent organic diets are mandatory.

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