APPROVED

by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine

23 October 2019 No. 970

 

 

PROCEDURE (Detailed Rules)

of Organic Production and Circulation of Organic Products

 

General Provisions

 

  1. This Procedure sets out detailed rules of production and circulation of organic products for the organic production sectors as follows:

organic plant production (including production of seeds and planting material);

organic livestock production (including poultry and beekeeping);

organic mushroom production (including organic yeast production);

organic aquaculture;

organic seaweed (algae) production;

organic food production (including organic wine-making);

organic feed production;

organic wild collection.

 

  1. For the purposes of this Procedure the following definitions apply:

1) ‘seaweed production’ means collection of seaweed in natural environment or their cultivation in separated sites of natural environment or in man-made containers and their initial preparation for further circulation;

2) ‘external inputs’ are material and technical resources used by the operator in accordance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, but that have not been produced at the operator’s premises;

3) ‘holding’ (farm) means all production units under single management for the purpose of breeding live animals or production of unprocessed agricultural products.

Other terms are used in the meanings set out in Laws of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”, “On Veterinary Medicine”, “On Fauna”, “On Feed Safety and Hygiene”, “On Environmental Impact Assessment”, “On By-products of Animal Origin Not Intended for Human Consumption”.

  1. 21. Every operator shall maintain general and branch-specific description of its activity.
  2. 22. The general description shall be framed by the operator in the form determined by the certification body and shall include information on the following:

1) operator’s activity along with statement and description of all its facilities, including those used for acceptance, handling, packing / re-packing, labelling / re-labelling and storage of products;

2) the range of products manufactured by the operator and/or which are circulating within the category with regard to which the operator intends to certify organic production and/or circulation of organic products;

3) measures that the operator takes or intends to take in order to comply with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, and/or reduce the risk of contamination of organic products with non-authorised substances or products;

4) measures that the operator takes or intends to take to prevent any mixture or exchange of organic products with non-organic ones;

5) production methods (technological processes) that the operator uses or intends to use;

6) transportation of products, including vehicle type and packing type.

In case of importing organic products, the first consignee shall additionally include into the general description information on the facilities used by it to accept and store organic products.

If any third parties are involved into granting particular services (performing work), comprising those granted on the basis of subcontracting (where products are to be processed and returned without change of ownership), necessary for organic production and/or circulation of organic products, the general description shall also include:

the list of third parties, including description of their activities and stating the certification bodies with which such third parties have concluded the certification agreement, and their consent;

all practical measures taken to ensure the efficient control system for the products placed on the market by the operator.

The operator shall add to the general description information as follows:

for agricultural land and wild flora collection sites — if applicable, the date of ceasing to use on the respective land plots substances other than those included into the List of substances (ingredients, components) authorized for use in organic production, and which are allowed to be used in the maximum permissible amount, as approved by the Ministry of Economy (hereinafter the List of substances (ingredients, components);

the list of substances from the List of substances (ingredients, components) and/or other substances (ingredients, components) that were used by the operator during the last calendar year and which it plans to use in the next calendar year;

if the agreement with another certification body and/or foreign certification body has been concluded, provide the name of that certification body and/or foreign certification body and specify the respective area of organic production and/or circulation of organic products.

  1. 23. The branch-specific description by organic production branches is made by the operator taking into consideration requirements set by the present Procedure.

The branch-specific description of the operator carrying out circulation of organic products in the part of importation shall include:

range of products that enter the customs territory of Ukraine;

description of all facilities that are used to store products before their delivery to the first consignee;

list of suppliers of organic products that enter the customs territory of Ukraine;

copies of certificates confirming organic production and/or circulation of such organic products, issued by a foreign certification body and by a certification body.

  1. 24. The operator can add to the description of the operator any other information confirming its compliance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, and which can be necessary for certification of organic production.

Description of the operator, upon the certification body’s request, shall include other information that confirms the operator’s compliance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, and that is necessary for certification of organic production.

  1. 25. The operator shall maintain, either in electronic or paper format, registers in the respective area of organic production and/or circulation of products. The register shall be kept in the premises of the respective facility and shall be provided at the request of the certification body.
  2. 26. Every operator shall keep and make available upon the certification body’s request documents as follows:

in case of organic production and circulation of organic products — registers and other records on production, procurement, acceptance and storage of products, shipment and payment documents for the delivered products / granted services;

in case of circulation of organic products — shipment and payment documents for the delivered organic products, certificates confirming compliance of organic production and/or circulation of organic products with the legal requirements in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products;

in case of circulation of organic products in the part of import — shipment and payment documents for the imported organic products, the certificate confirming organic production and/or circulation of such organic products in the country of origin, the certificate confirming compliance of such products with the legal requirements in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, customs documents.

Information as follows falls within the scope of records on production, procurement, acceptance and storage of products:

confirmation of separation of organic and non-organic production;

the amount of collected seaweed that confirms that the whole yield complies with the requirements of organic production and does not exceed the set collection limits, in case of collecting organic seaweed in a common (shared) area with non-organic seaweed;

place, time and method of collection of wild seed — for production of bivalve molluscs;

availability of internal control system of inputs and their further use, including documents stating the name and amount of:

– organic products delivered to the operator;

– all purchased inputs;

– organic products stored at the operator’s storage facilities;

for the operators that do not store organic products in storage facilities or do not work physically with such products: names and amount of the organic products purchased or marketed (sold) by them, as well as their suppliers, buyers and consignees;

for the consignees, if they are not buyers or end consumers: name and amount of products transported to facilities used for further storage and/or preparation of the products before being placed on the market.

The operator shall, upon the certification body’s request, make available other documents confirming compliance of production and/or circulation of organic products with the legal requirements in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products.

  1. The operators may maintain documentation and provide information required by this Procedure both in hard copy and in electronic format.

 

 

 

 

Detailed rules for organic plant production

 

  1. Operators shall apply crop rotation schemes in accordance with the norms for the optimal ratio of crops in crop rotations in different natural and agricultural regions approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 11 February 2010 No. 164 (Official Bulletin of Ukraine, 2010, No. 13, p. 613), using leguminous crops and other green manure crops, as well as fertilisers of animal origin and organic materials (preferably pre-composted) from organic production.
  2. Crop rotation is applied in such a way that the condition of the soil during production of the previous crop complies with the technological requirements for production of the next crop, and shall ensure increase in organic matter contents in the soil and enhance biological activity of the soil.
  3. Crop rotation shall have positive effect on fertility of the soils, maintain deficit-free balance of organic matter and nutrients, decrease contamination with weeds, prevent spreading of pests and plant diseases, and protect soil from erosion and other degradation processes.
  4. In organic production application of organic fertilisers shall promote optimisation of the plant nutrition and regeneration of the soil fertility, ensure deficit-free balance of nutrients in the soil, increase in yields and quality of crop products by way of:

analysing the results and determining the prospects of business activity (production specialisation), forecasted yield of the cultivated crops;

determining the soil fertility according to the agrochemical survey data, using various composts and other organic fertilisers, storing and applying them in a correct way;

developing organisational steps as regards use of fertilisers and soil conditioners.

  1. The total amount of nitrogen applied with organic fertilisers shall not exceed 170 kg per hectare per year (applicable to the use of farmyard manure, in particular dried and composted farmyard manure, dehydrated poultry manure, composted and liquid animal excrement, including poultry manure).
  2. If the operator doesn’t have the required amount of organic fertilisers, it is allowed to use the fertilisers and soil conditioners included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  3. Microbial based substances may be used to improve the availability of nutrients in the soil.
  4. For composting farmyard manure, plant-based preparations or preparations of micro-organisms may be used.
  5. Farmyard manure of cattle and fermented manure obtained from own production of organic products of animal origin and local minerals may be used without additional processing (treatment), if they are included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  6. Measures that ensure protection of crops during production of organic products shall be taken by way of:

crop rotation;

use of biological control;

cultivation of species and hybrids resilient against disease and pests;

implementation of the integrated system of plant protection measures.

  1. Where plants cannot be adequately protected from pests and diseases by measures provided for in the Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products” and in this Procedure, or in the case of an established threat to a crop, only plant protection products and pesticides may be used that have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), subject to the approval of the certification body. Such approval shall be made in accordance with the Procedure for Certification of Organic Production and/or Circulation of Organic Products approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in accordance with the procedure established by law (hereinafter referred to as the Procedure for Certification of Organic Production).
  2. Substances used in traps and/or dispensers (except pheromone dispensers) shall not be discharged into the environment and contact with other such substances and with agricultural crops that are being produced.
  3. For production of plants and plant products (except seeds and planting material), only organic seeds and planting material shall be used.

To obtain organic seeds and planting material, the mother plant and other plants shall have been reproduced in accordance with requirements of the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products for at least one generation, or, in the case of perennial crops, for at least one generation and two growing seasons.

  1. Choice of plant varieties suitable for organic production shall be made taking into consideration natural productivity, resistance to disease and adaptability to various soil and climatic conditions.
  2. Operators involved into organic plant production shall show in the register information on the following:

use of fertilisers (date of application, type and amount of the fertilisers, land parcels where these have been applied);

use of plant protection products (reason and date of application, product type, method of application);

acquisition of inputs of agricultural origin: (date, type and amount of the acquired product);

yield (date, type and amount of organic or in-conversion produce of plant origin).

  1. 181. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation of organic products in the sphere of plant production shall include:

1) description of all facilities, including places for storage, processing, packing, and land parcels;

2) annual organic plant production for every land parcel separately, stating its area.

Detailed rules for organic livestock production

General requirements for organic livestock production (cattle, goats, sheep, horses, pigs, rabbits, poultry (species listed in Annex 1) and bees)

 

  1. In the course of organic livestock production the operator shall ensure:

compliance with the requirements set out by the Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products” and this Procedure;

use of organic feed for feeding animals. Non-organic feed material of plant, animal and mineral origin, feed additives, specific products used for feeding animals and as processing aids may be used only if they have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components);

maintaining animal health through preventive measures and treatment of animals in compliance with the requirements of the legislation in the sphere of veterinary medicine, taking into consideration requirements of the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products.

  1. Livestock shall have permanent access to open air areas, preferably pastures, whenever weather and seasonal conditions and the state of the ground allow.
  2. Livestock being produced in compliance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products shall be kept separately from other livestock.

It is allowed to use the land on which non-organic production is carried out, for the animals being reared in compliance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, and to use the land on which organic production is carried out for the animals not being reared in compliance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, provided compliance with the limitations imposed by clauses 251-255 of this Procedure.

  1. Animal suffering, including as a consequence of surgery, shall be kept to a minimum during the entire life of the animal, including at the time of slaughter.
  2. Use of hormones during reproduction is prohibited.

Hormones or similar substances may be used for veterinary therapeutic treatment in the case of an individual animal.

Animal reproduction shall preferably use natural methods. However, artificial insemination of animals without treatment with hormones or other similar substances shall be allowed. Cloning and embryo transfer shall not be used.

  1. Treatment with the veterinary medicinal products that inhibit the function of the animals’ endocrine glands (in particular, have thyreostatic, estrogenic, androgenic and gestagenic effect), as well as antibiotics, hormones, coccidiostatics, histomonostatics and synthetic amino acids for animal growth or productivity promotion purposes shall be prohibited.
  2. Sick animals shall be treated immediately to avoid their suffering. Allopathic veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, may be used when necessary and only if treatment with phytotherapeutic, homeopathic and other products is not efficient.
  3. When choosing breeds or strains, account shall be taken of the ability of animals to adapt to local conditions, their vitality and their resistance to disease. Breeds of animals for production of organic livestock products shall be selected with preference given to indigenous breeds, taking into consideration their resistance to specific diseases or health problems associated with some breeds or strains (spontaneous abortion and difficult births requiring caesarean operations).
  4. Provided the certification body’s prior consent, non-organic animals may be introduced into the holding for breeding purposes, only provided that organic animals are not available at the market in sufficient quantity, and subject to the conditions provided for in clauses 28–30 of this Procedure, and upon approval of the certification body. Such approval is subject to the Procedure for Certification of Organic Production.

 

  1. When a herd or a flock is constituted for the first time, animals obtained from holdings engaged into non-organic production, shall, after weaning, be reared in accordance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products. In addition, the following conditions shall be met on the date on which those animals enter the herd or flock:

buffalo, calves and foals shall be less than six months old, lambs and kids shall be less than 60 days old;

piglets shall weigh less than 35 kg;

rabbits shall be less than three months old.

  1. Non-organic nulliparous female mammals, for the renewal of a herd or flock, may be brought into the holding, and the number of female mammals is subject to the following restrictions per year: up to a maximum of 10% of adult equine or bovine, including bubalus and bison species, and 20% of the adult porcine animals, small ruminants (ovine and caprine livestock), and rabbits. Besides, for holdings with less than 10 equine or bovine animals, or with less than five porcine, small ruminants (sheep or goats), or rabbits, any renewal as mentioned above shall be limited to a maximum of one animal per year.
  2. The percentages referred to in clause 29 of this Procedure may be increased up to 40%, subject to prior authorisation by the certification body, in the following cases:

when a major extension to the farm is undertaken;

when a breed is changed;

when a new livestock specialisation is initiated;

when animal breeds at the farm are in danger of being lost due to illnesses. In this case female animals of the respective breeds must not necessarily be nulliparous.

  1. Housing for keeping animals shall satisfy their biological and ethological needs.

Placement of animals in buildings shall provide for the comfort, the wellbeing and the species-specific needs of the animals which, in particular, shall depend on the species, the breed and the age of the animals. It shall also take account of the behavioural needs of the animals, which depend on the size of the group and the animals’ sex.

  1. Insulation, heating and ventilation of the building shall ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration are kept within limits which are not harmful to the animals. The building shall permit plentiful natural ventilation and natural light.
  2. Housing for livestock shall not be mandatory in areas with appropriate climatic conditions that enable animals to live outdoors.
  3. The stocking density shall take into account optimal surface areas indoors and outdoors in accordance with Annex 1, with the view to provide them with sufficient space to stand naturally, lie down easily, turn round, groom themselves, assume other natural postures.
  4. Livestock housing shall have smooth, but not slippery floors. At least half of the indoor surface area as specified in Annex 1 shall be solid (that is, not of slatted or of grid construction).
  5. The housing shall be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying/rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction which is not slatted. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material shall be provided in the rest area. The litter shall comprise straw or other suitable natural material. The litter may be improved and enriched with mineral substances that belong to fertilisers and soil conditioners included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  6. The housing of calves in individual boxes shall be forbidden after the age of one week.
  7. Sows and rabbits shall be kept in groups, except in the last stages of pregnancy for pigs and during the suckling period.
  8. Piglets shall not be kept on flat decks or in cages.
  9. Exercise areas shall permit dunging and rooting by porcine animals. For the purposes of rooting different substrates can be used.
  10. An open air area may be partially covered.
  11. Herbivores (ruminants) shall have access to pasturage for grazing.
  12. In cases where herbivores (ruminants) have access to pasturage during the grazing period and where the winter-housing system gives freedom of movement to the animals, the obligation to provide open air areas during the autumn and winter months may be waived.
  13. Bulls over 12 months old shall have access to pasturage or an open air area all year round.
  14. Tethering or isolation of livestock shall be prohibited, except in relation to individual animals for a limited period and insofar as this is justified for safety, proper keeping or veterinary reasons.
  15. The total stocking density shall be such as not to exceed the limit of 170 kg of nitrogen per year and hectare of agricultural area as referred to in clause 8 of this Procedure. Maximum stocking density of animals per hectare of agricultural area shall not exceed the figures laid down in Annex 2.
  16. Operations such as attaching elastic bands to the tails of sheep, tail-docking, cutting of teeth, trimming of beaks and dehorning shall not be carried out routinely in organic farming. However, some of these operations may be individually authorised by the certification bodies for reasons of safety or if they are intended to improve the health, welfare or hygiene of the livestock.
  17. Any suffering to the animals, including at the time of a surgical intervention, shall be reduced to a minimum by applying adequate anaesthesia and/or analgesia and by carrying out the operation by qualified personnel.
  18. Loading and unloading of animals shall be carried out without the use of any type of electrical stimulation to coerce the animals. The use of allopathic veterinary tranquillisers, prior to or during transport, is prohibited.
  19. Feeding ration of the animals is established based on their age, weight, health and feed type. Force-feeding of animals is forbidden.
  20. In the case of herbivores, except during the period each year when the animals are under transhumance, at least 50% of the feed shall come from the same holding or from another organic farm primarily in the same region. For pigs and poultry this fraction shall amount to at least 20%, for rabbits to at least 70%.
  21. All young mammals shall be fed on natural milk, preferably on maternal milk. The minimum period of such feeding shall be three months for bovines, bubalus, bison species, cervines and equidae, 45 days for sheep and goats and 40 days for pigs.

In this case, the requirements for the area of premises and open areas, the maximum number of animals per 1 hectare of agricultural land for bubalus, bison and cervine species are set at the same level as for cattle ruminants.

  1. Rearing system for herbivores (ruminants) is to be based on maximum use of grazing pasturage according to the availability of pastures in the different periods of the year. At least 60% of the dry matter in daily rations of herbivores shall consist of organic roughage, fodder or silage. A reduction to 50% for animals in dairy production for a maximum period of three months in early lactation is allowed.
  2. Organic roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage shall be added to the daily ration of pigs.
  3. Keeping of livestock in conditions, or on a diet, which can result in anaemia, is prohibited.
  4. Fattening practices shall be reversible at any stage of the rearing process.
  5. Up to 25% of the feed formula of ration may comprise in-conversion feedingstuffs. When the in-conversion feedingstuffs come from a production unit of the holding itself, this percentage may be increased to 100%.
  6. Up to 20% of the total average amount of feedingstuffs fed to the livestock may originate from the grazing or harvesting of permanent pastures or forage parcels in their first year of conversion, provided that such pastures or parcels are part of the holding itself and have not been part of an organic production unit of that holding in the past five years. When both in-conversion feedingstuffs and feedingstuffs from parcels in their first year of conversion are being used, the total combined percentage of such feedingstuffs shall not exceed the maximum percentages fixed in clause 57 of this Procedure.
  7. The percentage stated in clauses 57 and 58 of this Procedure shall be calculated annually as a percentage of the dry matter of feedingstuffs of plant origin.
  8. Only substances as follows may be used for processing (treatment) of organic feed and for feeding organic animals:

1) non-organic raw materials of plant or animal origin or other feedingstuffs that have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), provided that they are produced or prepared without chemical solvents and the restrictions laid down in clause 243 of this Procedure are complied with;

2) non-organic spices, herbs and molasses, provided that:

spices, herbs and molasses are not available in their organic form;

they are produced or prepared without chemical solvents;

their use shall be limited to 1% of the feed ration of the given species and shall be calculated annually as a percentage of the dry matter of feedingstuffs of plant origin;

3) organic feed materials of animal origin;

4) feed materials of mineral origin, included into the List of substances (ingredients, components);

5) products from fisheries, provided that:

they are produced or prepared without chemical solvents;

they are to be used only for species other than herbivores;

hydrolysate of fish protein is solely provided to young animals;

6) salt as sea salt and coarse rock salt;

7) feed additives included into the List of substances (ingredients, components);

  1. Where livestock is obtained from non-organic production units, special measures, like laboratory testing such as screening tests or prophylactic quarantine periods for animals may apply, depending on local circumstances.
  2. Where despite preventive measures to ensure animal health animals become sick or injured, they shall be treated immediately, if necessary in isolation.
  3. Phytotherapeutic, homeopathic products, trace elements and other substances that belong to feed materials of mineral origin and feed additives included into the List of substances (ingredients, components) shall be used in preference to veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, provided that the former’s therapeutic effect is effective for the species of animal, and the condition for which the treatment is intended.
  4. If the use of measures referred to in clauses 62 and 63 of this Procedure is not effective in combating the animal’s illness or health problem (injury, burn, etc.) and if allopathic treatment is essential to avoid suffering of the animal, veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, may be used under the supervision and responsibility of a licensed veterinarian.
  5. If the veterinary medicinal products have been used, it is necessary to comply with the withdrawal period according to the medicinal product’s pack insert (administration manual), and the withdrawal period is to be twice the legal withdrawal period or, in a case where this period is not specified, 48 hours.
  6. With the exception of compulsory preventive and eradication measures, including vaccinations and preventive treatments for parasites, where an animal or group of animals receive more than three courses of treatments with veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, within 12 months, or more than one course of treatment if their productive lifecycle is less than one year, the livestock concerned, or produce derived from them, shall not be considered organic. Such livestock shall undergo the conversion periods laid down in the legislation on organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products.
  7. The operator shall keep records and maintain documented evidence of the occurrence of circumstances mentioned in clauses 61–66 of this Procedure and keep them available for the certification body and/or for the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
  8. Veterinary immunobiological preparations may be used when taking compulsory veterinary and sanitation measures according to the veterinary legislation.
  9. Housing, pens, equipment and utensils shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease carrying organisms. Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt feed shall be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting insects or rodents.
  10. For cleaning and disinfection of housing, pens and utensils for animals only substances for cleaning and disinfection of livestock housing that have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components) may be used.
  11. Rodenticides (to be used only in traps), and the products listed in the List of substances (ingredients, components) may be used for the elimination of insects and other pests in buildings and other installations where livestock is kept. Traps shall be collected after use and disposed of.
  12. Faeces, urine and manure, including decayed hay and straw, of livestock and bird droppings shall be removed and/or disposed of in compliance with the Law of Ukraine “On By-products of Animal Origin Not Intended for Human Consumption”.
  13. Requirements with regard to organic production during the period of conversion shall apply to the whole area of the production unit on which animal feed is produced. The conversion period may be reduced to one year for pasturages and open air areas used by non-herbivore species. This period may be reduced to six months where the land concerned has not, during the last year, received treatments with products not authorised for organic production.
  14. Where non-organic animals are present on a holding at the beginning of the conversion period, their products may be deemed organic if there is simultaneous conversion of the complete holding, including livestock, pasturage and/or any land used for animal feed.

The total combined conversion period for both present animals and their offspring, pasturage and/or any land used for animal feed, may be reduced to 24 months, if the animals are fed with products from the same holding.

  1. The livestock shall be identified and registered in compliance with the legislation.
  2. The animals shall be transported in compliance with the legal requirements.
  3. Rabbits shall have access to roofed shelter, including dark hiding places; outdoor runs with vegetation, preferably pastures; a raised platform on which they can sit, either indoors or outdoors; nesting material for all nursing does.
  4. It is prohibited to keep more than 500 does in one production unit.
  5. The minimum age at slaughter for rabbits shall be 100 days.
  6. Operators involved into organic animal production shall show in the register at least information on:

animals that arrive to the holding (their origin and date of arrival, conversion period, identification No. and veterinary data);

animals that have left the holding (their age, number of animals, weight in case of slaughter, identification No. and destination);

information on any lost animals and the cause of such loss;

feed (type, including feed additives, ratio of various ingredients of the rations and periods of access to the open air areas, periods of transhumance from winter to summer pastures, to which restrictions of clause 254 of this Procedure are applied);

disease prevention and treatment and veterinary aid (treatment date, diagnosis, dosage, veterinary medicinal product type, information as regards the active substances being used and veterinarian’s recommendations as regards veterinary care, stating reasons for application and withdrawal periods, before the products of animal origin can be considered organic).

The certification body together with the operator may agree on the reflection in the register of additional information necessary to ensure the control of organic production.

  1. 801. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation of organic products in the sphere of organic animal husbandry shall include:

description (including area) of housing for keeping animals, pastures, open-air areas and, where relevant, spaces for storage, packing and processing animal products and animals, raw materials and external inputs;

description of sites for storing manure.

Measures that operator takes or intends to take in order to comply with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, and reduce the risk of contamination with non-authorised substances or products in the sphere of organic animal husbandry shall include:

manure spreading plan agreed with the certification body, description of territories designated for plant production (if such activity is carried out) taking into consideration requirements set by the Law of Ukraine “On By-products of Animal Origin Not Intended for Human Consumption”;

cooperation agreements with other operators or other economic entities on the use of surplus manure from organic production (if available);

facility management plan in the sphere of organic animal husbandry.

Facility management plan in the sphere of organic animal husbandry shall include information set out in clause 80 of this Procedure.

 

Additional requirements for organic poultry production

 

  1. Poultry shall not be kept in cages.
  2. Poultry shall have access to open air areas for at least one third of its life.
  3. Open air areas for poultry shall be mainly covered with vegetation and be provided with protective facilities, and permit fowl to have access to feed and water.
  4. Where poultry are kept indoors due to restrictions or obligations imposed for protection of human and animal health, they shall have permanent access to sufficient quantities of roughage and suitable material in order to meet their ethological needs.
  5. Water fowl shall have access to a stream, pond, lake or a pool whenever the weather and veterinary and hygienic conditions permit, in order to respect their species-specific needs and animal welfare requirements.
  6. Buildings for all poultry species shall meet the following conditions:

1) at least one third of the floor area shall be solid, (not of slatted or of grid construction), and covered with a litter material such as straw, wood shavings, sand and/or turf;

2) in poultry houses for laying hens, the possibility shall be ensured to collect bird droppings;

3) perches and nests shall be of a size and number commensurate with the weight and number of the birds as laid down in Annex 1;

4) exit/ entry pop-holes shall be of a size adequate for free movement of the birds, and these pop-holes shall have a combined length of at least 4 m per every 100 m2 area of the house available to the birds;

5) each poultry house shall not contain more than:

4800 chickens;

3000 laying hens;

5200 guinea fowl;

4000 female Muscovy or Peking ducks or 3200 male Muscovy or Peking ducks or other ducks;

2500 capons, geese or turkeys;

6) the total usable area of poultry houses for meat production on any single production unit shall not exceed 1600 m2;

7) poultry houses shall be constructed in a manner allowing the birds easy access to open air area.

  1. Natural light may be supplemented by artificial means to provide a maximum of 16 hours light per day with a continuous nocturnal rest period without artificial light of at least 8 hours.
  2. To prevent the use of intensive rearing methods, poultry shall either be reared until they reach a minimum age or else shall come from slow-growing poultry strains.

Where slow-growing poultry strains are not used in a holding, the following minimum age of poultry at slaughter shall be:

81 days for chickens;

150 days for capons;

49 days for Peking ducks;

70 days for female Muscovy ducks;

84 days for male Muscovy ducks;

92 days for Mallard ducks;

94 days for guinea fowl;

140 days for male turkeys and geese;

100 days for female turkeys.

  1. Roughage, fresh or dried fodder shall be added to the daily ration of poultry.
  2. Buildings shall be emptied of livestock between each batch of poultry that has been reared. The buildings and fittings shall be cleaned and disinfected during this time. In addition, when the rearing of each batch of poultry has been completed, runs shall be left empty in order to allow vegetation to grow back. The operator shall have documentary proof of compliance with these requirements.

These requirements shall not apply where poultry are not reared in batches, are not kept in runs and are free to roam throughout the day.

 

Additional requirements for organic beekeeping

  1. When choosing bee strains, preference shall be given to the use of Apis mellifera and their local ecotypes.
  2. For the renovation of apiaries, 20% per year of the queen bees and swarms may be replaced by non-organic queen bees and swarms in the organic production unit, provided that the queen bees and swarms are placed in hives with combs or comb foundations of organic origin. This requirement does not apply to the conversion period for apiaries.
  3. During the conversion period the wax shall be replaced with wax coming from organic beekeeping.
  4. In the case of new installations or during the conversion period, non-organic beeswax may be used only in the amounts necessary to support living of the bee colonies, only in the following cases:

where beeswax from organic beekeeping is not available on the organic market;

where it is proven free of contamination by substances not authorised for organic production;

provided that it comes from the cap.

  1. The siting of the apiaries shall be such that, within a radius of 3 km from the apiary site, nectar and pollen sources consist essentially of organically produced crops and/or spontaneous vegetation and/or crops not treated with substances prohibited for use in organic production, as determined by Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”.

Operator shall ensure that apiaries are kept at sufficient distance from sources that may lead to the contamination of apiculture products or to the poor health of the bees. The above mentioned requirements do not apply where flowering is not taking place, or the hives are dormant.

  1. The siting of apiaries shall comply with the Law of Ukraine “On Beekeeping”.
  2. The hives shall be made basically of natural materials presenting no risk of contamination to the environment or the agricultural products. Inside of the hives shall not be painted and/or treated with other chemical substances.
  3. The beeswax for new foundations shall come from organic production units.
  4. Only natural products such as propolis, wax and plant oils can be used in the hives.
  5. The use of chemical synthetic repellents is prohibited during honey extractions operations, and the use of brood combs is prohibited for honey extraction.
  6. After the end of the production season hives shall be left with sufficient reserves of organic honey and pollen to support living of the bees.
  7. Feeding of bee colonies shall only be permitted where the survival of the hives is endangered due to climatic conditions and only between the last honey harvest and 15 days before the start of the next honey flow period. Feeding shall be with organic honey, organic sugar syrup or organic sugar.
  8. For the purposes of protecting frames, hives and combs, in particular from pests, only rodenticides (to be used only in traps) and appropriate products listed in Annex 3 are permitted.
  9. Physical treatments for disinfection of apiaries, such as steam or direct flame, are permitted.
  10. The practice of destroying the male brood is permitted only to isolate the infestation of Varroa destructor.
  11. If despite all preventive measures the colonies become sick or infested, they shall be treated immediately and, if necessary, the colonies shall be isolated.
  12. If veterinary medicinal products are used, information on the date of treatment, diagnosis, dose and name of the medicinal product shall be provided to the certification body.
  13. Formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid as well as menthol, thymol, eucalyptol or camphor may be used in cases of infestation with Varroa destructor.
  14. If a treatment is applied with veterinary medicinal products, during such a period the colonies treated shall be isolated and all the wax shall be replaced with wax coming from organic beekeeping. Subsequently, the conversion period of one year laid down in part nine of Article 25 of the Law of Ukraine “On Basic principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”, will apply to those colonies.
  15. The requirements laid down in clause 109 of this Procedure shall not apply to products listed in clause 108 of this Procedure.
  16. Operators involved in organic beekeeping shall show in the register at least information on:

use of feed (type, date, amount and beehives where these have been used);

harvesting, processing and storage of products from beekeeping;

removing honeycombs and honey extraction operations.

  1. 1111. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation of organic products in the sphere of organic beekeeping shall include the list of documents laid down in clause 801 of this Procedure, as well as:

the maps in the respective scale, with the list of apiary and beehive location sites and their identification;

measures to ensure due harvesting, processing, storage and marketing of beekeeping products;

records as regards transportation (moving) of apiaries.

If bees are fed, it is also necessary to indicate type of feed and its amount, date of feeding and the respective beehive number.

If bees undergo veterinary treatment, information as follows shall be recorded: about the veterinary medicinal product, active substances, diagnosis, dosage, method of application of the medicinal product, duration of treatment, withdrawal period after which the beekeeping products can be considered organic.

 

Detailed rules for organic mushroom production

  1. During preparation of substrate (compost) for growing organic mushrooms the operator may use components as follows:

farmyard manure and animal excrement either received in the course of one’s own organic livestock production or purchased from the operators included into the State Register of Operators involved in production in compliance with requirements of the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products (hereinafter the Register of Operators). Where such components are not available, for substrate (compost) preparation fertilisers and soil conditioners may be used, that have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), but not more than 25 per cent of the overall weight of all components of the substrate (compost), excluding the covering material and added water;

peat, not treated with mineral fertilisers and pesticides, and free from industrial pollution;

straw and other plant residues that are used while preparing substrate (compost), derived from one’s own organic production or purchased from the operators included into the Register of Operators;

wood that has not been treated with chemical products after felling;

mineral fertilisers and substances that belong to fertilisers and soil conditioners included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), water and soil.

  1. Only organic substrates may be used for production of organic yeast.

Organic yeast shall not be present in organic food or feed together with non-organic yeast.

In the production of organic yeast and confection and in preparation of starters the processing aids for production of yeast and yeast products, included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), as well as products listed in clause 222 of this Procedure may be used.

 

Detailed rules for organic aquaculture

  1. In the course of organic aquaculture production the generally accepted technological operations for production of aquaculture objects shall be used, taking into consideration the requirements set out by the Law of Ukraine“On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”, “On Fisheries, Commercial Fishing and Protection of Water Bioresources”, “On Aquaculture” and by this Procedure.
  2. Requirements of this section do not cover areas and objects of the natural reserve fund of Ukraine.
  3. Organic aquaculture production shall be based on:

respective planning and arrangement of biological processes that are based on ecosystems, using their internal natural resources, applying the methods that ensure use of live organisms and mechanical production methods, organic aquaculture production based on sustainable use of aquatic biological resources, prohibition of use of genetically modified organisms, products produced from GMOs and products produced by GMOs, other than veterinary medicinal products, and based on the risk assessment results, and, whenever it is necessary to take precautionary and preventive measures, restriction of using external inputs;

the limitation of the use of non-renewable resources and products of non-agricultural origin to a minimum;

taking into consideration local or regional ecological balance when choosing products to be produced;

maintaining health of aquaculture objects through promoting natural immune protection, as well as choice of the respective feed and management practices;

maintaining biodiversity of natural aquatic ecosystems, ensuring due functioning and condition of the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

  1. Organic aquaculture production operations shall be situated in locations that were not polluted with substances other than those included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  2. Organic and non-organic aquaculture production units shall be adequately separated. Operators shall keep the respective records to confirm such separation in compliance with clause 1891 of this Procedure.

Operators that have production units where non-organic aquaculture objects are produced shall be subject to checks by the certification body as regards their compliance with requirements to parallel and/or simultaneous production. Measures to separate organic and non-organic production units shall be based on the natural situation, separate water distribution systems, distances, the tidal flow, and the upstream and the downstream location of the production units.

  1. For any new operator applying for conversion to organic production and producing more than 10 tonnes of aquaculture products per year, an environmental assessment shall be required in compliance with the Law of Ukraine “On Environmental Assessment”.
  2. 120. The operator shall provide a sustainable management plan that shall include:

measures for the management of production units for aquaculture harvesting;

measures taken to minimise the environmental effects, including the amount of nutrients per production cycle or per annum;

information on monitoring the equipment serviceability;

waste reduction programme;

programme of protective and preventive measures taken against predators.

  1. The plan shall be accompanied by information on the environmental impact of production activities
  2. In organic aquaculture production renewable energy sources and recyclable materials shall be used. The use of residual heat shall be minimised.
  3. Organic aquaculture shall be based on rearing of aquaculture stock originating from organic broodstock and from an organic holding.
  4. Breeds and species shall be chosen taking into consideration their ability to adapt to man-made conditions or to the respective aquatic facilities and technological ponds. Local species shall be used, which are better adapted to production conditions on a holding, have good health and well-developed digestive system. Documentary evidence of the origin of aquaculture objects coming to the holding shall be provided for the certification body. Aquaculture species which can be produced without causing significant damage to wild stocks shall be chosen.
  5. Conditions shall be ensured that satisfy the species-specific needs for broodstock management, young stock rearing and production.
  6. Aquaculture objects shall be managed taking into consideration specifics of their production technology and geographical location of the holding (aquaculture area).
  7. When cultivating organic products, stocking density (biomass) and husbandry practices for aquaculture production shall comply with the parameters set out inAnnex 4.
  8. Where the objects to be cultivated are not available from organic broodstock or from an organic holding, wild-caught in accordance with the legislation or non-organic aquaculture resources may be brought into a holding only for feeding purposes or with a view to improve the genetic stock, or where organic aquaculture is not accessible.

Such species shall be kept in compliance with the requirements of legislation on organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products for at least three months before they may be used in organic aquaculture production.

For animals that are on the Ukraine’s List of endangered species, the authorisation to catch and use wild-caught specimens may be granted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine in compliance with the legislation, based on the decisions of the National Commission on the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

The requirement of the first paragraph of the present clause does not apply to the arrangement of feeding regime for fish, crustaceans and echinoderms, as defined by clause 132 of the present Procedure.

  1. Hormones and similar substances shall not be used in organic aquaculture.
  2. The artificial production of monosex strains, except by hand-sorting, the induction of polyploidy, artificial hybridisation and cloning shall not be used.
  3. Aquaculture objects shall be fed with feed that meets their nutritional requirements at the various stages of their development. The plant fraction of feed shall come from organic production, and the feed fraction derived from aquatic animals shall originate from natural fisheries, from the fish caught in compliance with the requirements of the legislation in force. While rising organic aquatic juveniles, phyto- and zooplankton that is traditional for these objects may be used as feed.
  4. Feeding regimes for fish, crustaceans and echinoderms shall be designed subject to the conditions as follows:

healthy state of aquaculture objects;

high product quality, including the nutritional composition of the product, which shall ensure high quality of the final edible product;

low environmental impact.

Feed for carnivorous aquaculture animals shall be used subject to the conditions as follows:

organic origin of feed material;

fish meal and fish oil derived from organic aquaculture;

fish meal and fish oil and ingredients of fish origin derived from trimmings of fish caught in compliance with the legislation;

if feed is made of whole fish, the respective fish material shall come from fishing that complies with the legislation;

organic plant material shall not exceed 60% of total feed ration.

  1. With regard to molluscs and other species which feed on natural plankton, such animals shall receive all their nutritional requirements from nature, except in the case of juveniles reared in hatcheries and nurseries.
  2. In grow-out phase of organic molluscs at the larva stage, phyto- and zooplankton can be used as feed.
  3. The feed ration of shrimps and prawns may consist of a maximum of 25% fishmeal and 10% fish oil derived from fish obtained in compliance with the legislation. With the view to ensure that shrimps and prawns receive all the necessary elements in the required quantity, their feed ration can be supplemented with organic cholesterol. If cholesterol of organic quality is not available, non-organic cholesterol derived from wool, shellfish, etc. may be used.
  4. Non-organic feed materials of plant, animal and mineral origin, feed additives, and certain processing aids that are used in feeding aquaculture species shall only be used if they have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  5. Astaxanthin of organic origin, such as derived from crusts of organic crustaceans, may be used for feeding salmon and trout, taking into account their physiological needs. If organic sources are not available, natural sources of astaxanthin (such as Phaffia yeast) may be used.
  6. Histidin derived from fermentation may be used as feed for salmon and trout, if feed materials do not provide histidin in quantity sufficient to satisfy nutritional requirements of fish and prevent cataract formation.
  7. Growth promoters and synthetic amino-acids shall not be used.
  8. Disease prevention shall be based on keeping the aquaculture objects in optimal conditions by appropriate siting, optimal design of the holdings, the application of good husbandry and management practices, including regular cleaning and disinfection of premises, high-quality feed, appropriate stocking density, and breed and strain selection.
  9. Immunological veterinary medicines may be used in organic aquaculture.
  10. An aquaculture objects’ health management plan shall detail biosecurity and disease prevention practices including a written agreement for health counselling, proportionate to the production unit, with a qualified licensed veterinarian who shall visit the holding at a frequency of not less than once per year or, in the case of bivalve shellfish, not less than once every two years.
  11. All holding systems, equipment and utensils shall be properly cleaned and disinfected. Equipment and utensils shall be cleaned using physical and mechanical cleaning methods. For cleaning and disinfection only substances for cleaning and disinfection of equipment and premises in the absence of aquatic animals and substances allowed to be used both in presence of aquatic animals and in their absence, mentioned in the List of substances (ingredients, components) may be used.
  12. If fallowing is used for veterinary and sanitary purposes in aquaculture production, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection shall determine the necessity and duration of such measure. The fallowing measure taken shall be documented after each production cycle in open water containment systems at sea. Fallowing is also recommended for other production methods, where tanks, ponds and cages are used. The above method shall not be mandatory for bivalve mollusc cultivation.

During fallowing the cage or other structure used for aquaculture production is emptied, disinfected and kept empty before being used again.

  1. Uneaten fish-feed, faeces and dead animals shall be removed promptly to avoid any risk of causing significant damage to the environment in terms of ensuring the maximum permissible concentration of substances in water bodies in accordance with the established standards approved by Order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy No. 471 of 30 July 2012, to minimise disease risks, and to avoid attracting insects or rodents.
  2. In aquaculture, ultraviolet light and ozone may only be used in hatcheries and nurseries.
  3. For biological control of ectoparasites, preference shall be given to the use of cleaner-fish, and for freshwater objects – to marine water and sodium chloride solutions.
  4. In case of a disease it shall be treated immediately to avoid suffering to the aquaculture object; allopathic veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, may be used where necessary, and only where the use of phytotherapeutic, homeopathic and other products is not efficient.
  5. Use of veterinary medicinal products for protection of human and animal health imposed on the basis of the legislation shall be allowed.
  6. When despite preventive measures health problems of aquaculture objects arise, veterinary treatments may be used in the following order of preference:

1) substances from plants, animals or minerals in a homoeopathic dilution;

2) plants and their extracts not having anaesthetic effects;

3) substances such as trace elements, metals, natural immune stimulants or authorised probiotics.

  1. The use of allopathic (traditional) treatments shall be limited to two courses of treatment per year, with the exception of vaccinations and compulsory animal disease eradication measures. However, in the cases of a production cycle of less than a year, a limit of one allopathic treatment per year shall apply. Where the indicated limits for allopathic treatments are exceeded, the aquaculture objects concerned shall not be considered organic.
  2. The use of veterinary parasite treatments, other than through compulsory animal disease eradication measures, shall be limited to twice per year, or once per year where the production cycle is less than 18 months.
  3. The withdrawal period for allopathic veterinary medicinal products and products for parasite treatments, including measures under compulsory control and eradication schemes, shall be twice the withdrawal period or, where this period is not specified, by 48 hours.
  4. In the case of use of veterinary medicinal products, information on the date of treatment, diagnosis, doses and name of the medicinal product shall be provided to the certification body.
  5. Closed recirculation organic aquaculture production facilities shall be prohibited, with the exception of hatcheries and nurseries or facilities for the production of species used for organic feed organisms.
  6. Artificial heating or cooling of water shall only be permitted in hatcheries and nurseries. Natural borehole water may be used for heating or cooling at all stages of production.
  7. The husbandry environment of the organic aquaculture objects shall be designed in such a way that they comply with conditions as follows:

have sufficient species-specific space for their welfare;

the maximum permissible concentration of substances in water bodies is ensured, complying with the established standards approved by the Order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of 30 July 2012 No. 471;

temperature and lighting levels meet the biological needs of the species, taking into account the geographical location of the holdings.

  1. In considering the effects of stocking density and management practices on the welfare of aquaculture objects, the condition of the objects being produced, such as fin damage, other body injuries, growth rate, behaviour expressed and overall health, shall be monitored and taken into account.
  2. In the case of freshwater fish, the bottom type of the water production facility and technological water pond shall be as close as possible to natural conditions.
  3. In the case of carp and similar species:

the bottom of the water production facility and technological water pond shall be natural earth;

efficient use of the available organic fertilisers (manure, peat and peat-manure composts, slime, organic waste after processing agricultural products, etc.) shall be ensured;

organic and mineral fertilisation of the ponds and lakes shall be carried out only with fertilisers and soil conditioners that have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), with a maximum application of 20 kg nitrogen/ha.

  1. Biological or chemical amelioration shall be performed using local deposits of limestone, chalk and chalky clay. Treatments involving synthetic chemicals for the control of hydrophytes and plant coverage present in production waters shall be prohibited.
  2. The design and construction of aquatic containment systems shall prevent ingress of pollutants and provide physiochemical parameters that safeguard the animals’ health and welfare, and that provide for their behavioural needs.
  3. A rearing unit on land shall meet the following conditions:

monitoring and control of the flow rate and water quality of both in-flowing and out-flowing water;

at least 10% of the perimeter (‘land-water interface’) area shall have natural vegetation.

  1. Containment systems at sea shall be located where water flow and depth are adequate to minimise the impact on the seabed and the surrounding water body, have suitable cage design, construction and maintenance with regard to their exposure to the operating environment.
  2. Aquaculture objects shall be kept in such a way to render impossible their release into the natural environment.

If fish or crustaceans escape, the operator shall take appropriate action to reduce the impact on the local ecosystem, and ensure:

recapture of aquatic bioresources that have escaped from their habitat, with further recording of such cases;

informing local authorities;

taking measures to prevent the recurrence of such cases.

  1. Water supply system shall be separated and equipped with natural filters, biological filters, natural filtering technologies, in certain cases with mechanical filters with the view to collect waste.
  2. For aquaculture animal production in fishponds, tanks or raceways, farms shall be equipped with either natural-filter beds, biological filters or mechanical filters to collect waste nutrients or use algae or animals (bivalves) which contribute to cleaning and improving the water quality.
  3. The operator shall ensure compliance with the environmental legislation.
  4. The persons directly involved in keeping aquaculture objects shall possess the necessary basic knowledge and skills as regards the health and due management of those objects.
  5. Human interference into the natural processes innate to aquaculture objects shall be minimised, proper equipment and protocols shall be used to avoid stress and physical damage. Broodstock shall be handled in such a manner as to minimise physical damage and stress, and shall be handled under anaesthesia where appropriate. Grading operations shall be kept to a minimum and shall only be used where required to ensure fish welfare.

Any suffering shall be kept to a minimum during the entire life of the aquaculture animals, including at the time of slaughter.

Eyestalk ablation, including all similar practices such as ligation, incision and pinching, is prohibited.

Slaughter techniques shall render fish immediately unconscious and insensible to pain. Handling prior to slaughter shall be performed in a way that avoids injuries while keeping suffering and stress at a minimum. Differences in harvesting sizes, species, and production sites shall be taken into account when considering optimal slaughtering methods.

  1. The following restrictions shall apply to the use of artificial light:

daylight duration shall not exceed a maximum that respects the ethological needs, geographical conditions and general health of the animals in the holding;

this maximum shall not exceed 14 hours per day, except where necessary for reproductive purposes.

Abrupt changes in light intensity shall be avoided at the changeover time through the use of dimmable lights or background lighting.

  1. Aeration shall be permitted to ensure animal welfare and health. Aerators shall be preferably powered by renewable energy sources. Operators shall keep records of these measures in any format they choose to use.
  2. Oxygen may only be used for purposes linked to aquaculture objects’ health and welfare requirements and for critical periods of production or transport, and in the following cases:

abrupt temperature increase, drop in atmospheric pressure or pollution of the natural environment;

occasional stock management procedures, such as sampling and sorting;

in order to assure the survival of the farm stock.

Operators shall keep records of these measures in any format they choose to use.

  1. Protective and preventive measures against predators shall be recorded in the sustainable management plan.
  2. Appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure proper conditions for the aquaculture objects during transportation and to keep the duration of the transport to a minimum.
  3. Live organic fish shall be transported in suitable tanks with clean water which meets their physiological needs in terms of temperature and dissolved oxygen.
  4. Before transport of live organic fish and fish products, tanks shall be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and rinsed.
  5. Precautions shall be taken to reduce stress of organic fish, in particular, during transport the density shall not reach a level which is detrimental to the species.
  6. Bivalve mollusc production may be carried out in the same area of water as organic fish objects and seaweed production, in a polyculture system that shall be documented in the sustainable management plan. Bivalve molluscs may also be grown in polyculture together with gastropod molluscs.
  7. Organic bivalve mollusc production shall take place within areas delimited by posts, floats or other clear markers and shall, where appropriate, be restrained by net bags, cages or other man made means.
  8. Shellfish producing operators shall ensure maximum safety to species of conservation interest. If predator nets are used, their design shall not permit diving birds to be harmed.
  9. Wild seed from outside the boundaries of the production unit may be used in the case of bivalve shellfish, provided that there is no damage to the environment, provided that it is permitted by local legislation and provided that the wild seed comes from:

settlement beds which are unlikely to survive winter weather;

natural settlement of shellfish seed on collectors.

Records shall be kept in compliance with clause 26 of this Procedure on how, where and when wild seed was collected, to allow traceability back to the collection area.

Wild seed of bivalve molluscs from non-organic production units may be brought to organic production units in the amount not exceeding 80 per cent.

  1. Production shall use a stocking density not in excess of that used for non-organic molluscs in the locality. Sorting, thinning and stocking density adjustments shall be made according to the available biomass and to ensure animal welfare and high product quality.
  2. Biofouling organisms shall be removed only by physical means or by hand and where appropriate returned to the sea away from mollusc farms. Molluscs may be treated once during the production cycle with a lime solution to control competing fouling organisms.
  3. Cultivation on mussel ropes and other methods listed in theAnnex 4, may be used in organic aquaculture production.
  4. The bottom cultivation of molluscs is only permitted where no significant environmental impact is caused at the collection and growing sites.
  5. Cultivation of oysters in bags on trestles shall be permitted, structures in which the oysters are contained shall be set out so as to avoid the formation of a total barrier along the shoreline. Bags or other structures for cultivation of oysters shall be positioned carefully on the beds in relation to tidal flow to optimise production.
  6. For open water production facilities, including those used for production of bivalve molluscs, a conversion period shall be three months.
  7. Operators involved in organic aquaculture shall show in the register at least information on:

origin of aquaculture objects that come into the holding (date of arrival and conversion period):

number of lots, age, weight and destination of the aquaculture objects that have left the holding;

lost fish;

type and amount of fish feed, documented cases of using additional feed for carps and related species;

veterinary treatment (purpose, date of application of a veterinary medicinal product, application method, type of a veterinary medicinal product and its withdrawal period);

measures aimed at disease prevention, including information on cleaning, drying, water treatment.

The certification body together with the operator may agree on recording in the register of additional information necessary to ensure control of organic production.

  1. 1891. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation in the sphere of organic aquaculture shall include:

1) description of facilities on land and in fishery water bodies (parts thereof);

2) conclusion based on the environmental impact assessment in the case laid down in clause 119 of this Procedure;

3) annual sustainable management plan developed in compliance with clauses 120, 121, 174, 179 of this Procedure;

4) summary of a separate chapter of the sustainable management plan that contains report on the territory in use (in case of mollusc cultivation).

 

Detailed rules for production of organic seaweed

  1. These Detailed rules do not cover areas and objects of the nature reserve fund of Ukraine.
  2. Organic seaweed are produced in compliance with the requirements set by the laws of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”, “On Fisheries, Commercial Fishing and Protection of Water Bioresources”, “On Aquaculture” and by this Procedure.
  3. Algae species included into the Ukraine’s List of endangered species may be collected in their natural environment and/or farmed in compliance with the legislation.
  4. Cultivation of organic algae shall take place in coastal areas not polluted either with products or substances not meant for organic production, or with pollutants that compromise organic nature of the products; or in man-made conditions on land in the closed production facilities with controlled conditions that comply with the organic legislation.

Environmental quality shall be determined according to the regulatory document КНД 211.1.1.106-2003 “Arrangement of and carrying out monitoring of surface water pollution (in the system of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine)”.

At all stages of production of organic seaweed in natural environment, from collection of juvenile algae to harvesting, sustainable practices shall be used that do not cause significant impact on the water environment and algae population.

To ensure that a wide gene-pool is maintained, the collection of juvenile algae in the wild shall take place on a regular basis.

Fertilisers shall not be used, except in indoor facilities, and only if they have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components.

Algae culture at sea shall only utilise nutrients naturally occurring in the environment, or from organic aquaculture animal production, preferably located nearby as part of a polyculture system.

  1. For all types of business activities on organic algae production, an environmental assessment that is appropriate to the production unit shall be performed with the view to ascertain the conditions of the production unit and its immediate environment and likely effects of its operation.

Stocking density or operational density shall be duly recorded and integrity of the natural habitat shall be maintained with the view to ensure that the maximum amount of algae that can be produced without the negative impact on the environment will not be exceeded.

For activities and facilities subject to environmental impact assessment, environmental impact assessment is carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the Law of Ukraine “On Environmental Impact Assessment”.

  1. The operator shall develop, in any form, an annual sustainable management plan for organic algae production. The plan shall detail the environmental effects of the operation and the environmental monitoring to be undertaken, and shall list the measures to be taken to minimise negative impacts on the surrounding environment, full description of facilities on land and in the sea, and measures as regards the surveillance and repair of technical equipment and waste reduction. Where possible, the use of residual heat shall be limited to energy from renewable sources. In case of wild seaweed collection, the sustainable management plan shall also include full description and map of the coast and sea collection areas, as well as land areas where the operations are going on after the collection.
  2. Collection shall be carried out in such a way that the amounts collected do not cause a significant impact on the state of the aquatic environment. Measures such as collection technique, minimum sizes, ages, reproductive cycles or size of algae shall be taken to ensure that algae can regenerate and to make sure that by-catches are prevented.

A once-off biomass estimate shall be undertaken at the outset of algae collection.

  1. At production of organic seaweed measures shall be taken to ensure the proper state of surrounding aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
  2. Organic seaweed shall be cultivated only in separated natural sites or using organic aquaculture products (from production of fish, crustaceans and shellfish), which production units are located near the separated natural site for growing organic seaweed, as part of polyculture system.
  3. In facilities on land where external nutrient sources are used, the nutrient levels in the effluent water shall be the same, or lower, than that in the inflowing water. Only nutrients of plant or mineral origin authorised for use in organic production may be used.
  4. Tools and equipment used for algae production shall be made of recycled material.
  5. Organic and non-organic production units shall be adequately separated. When planning placement of the respective production units, account shall be taken of the natural location of separate water distribution systems, distance, the tidal flow, and the upstream and the downstream location of the organic production unit.
  6. The operator shall preferably use renewable energy sources and necessarily use recyclable material.
  7. Ropes and other equipment used for growing seaweed shall be re-usable or recyclable.
  8. Bio-fouling organisms shall be removed only by physical means or by hand and where appropriate returned to the sea at a distance from the farm.
  9. Equipment and facilities shall be cleaned only by physical or mechanical means. If such means cannot be used, substances for cleaning and disinfection that have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components) may be used.
  10. If the end product is fresh seaweed, sea water shall be used to rinse freshly harvested seaweed.
  11. If the end product is dried seaweed, drinking water may be used for rinsing them. Salt may be used for removing moisture. Production units where salt is used for treating algae shall be arranged so as to ensure that excess salt and used salt is not released into the environment.
  12. For drying algae natural or environment-friendly heat energy sources shall be used. The use of open flame that comes in direct contact with seaweed for drying shall be prohibited.
  13. Ropes or other equipment used for drying shall be free from cleaning or disinfecting substances, except substances that have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  14. Collection of wild seaweed and parts thereof growing naturally is considered as organic production, provided that:

the growing areas are ecologically clean;

seaweed collection does not affect the long-term stability of the natural ecosystem or the maintenance of the species in the collection area.

  1. Survey of the natural sea areas, evaluation of the available biomass and setting up limits and anticipated allowed yield (harvesting, collection, etc.) of algae shall be performed by the scientific institutions under the management of the State Fisheries Agency, National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine.
  2. If seaweed which are further to be labelled as organic products are collected from a shared (common) collection area, for which there is an established annual limit for both organic and non-organic products together, rather than from a separated in space site intended only for collection of organic products, documentary evidence shall be available showing that the total yield from such area complies with clause 26 of this Procedure.
  3. Collection of wild algae and parts thereof, which are further to be labelled as organic products, shall be performed by the operators subject to availability of a permit for special use of aquatic bioresources in fishery water bodies (parts thereof) in accordance with the limits and forecasts of permissible catch of special use of aquatic bioresources.
  4. Authorisation for special use of aquatic bioresources in fish farms (parts thereof) shall be granted in compliance with the legislation.
  5. The operator shall keep records of organic seaweed production and collection in the register. The register shall contain information as follows:

list of species, date and amount of organic seaweed collected or produced;

date of application, type and amount of the fertiliser applied.

In case of collection of wild algae, the register shall additionally include:

information on history of yield collecting activity for each species of algae in the collection sites;

amount of organic seaweed collected per one season;

possible sources of pollution of the collection site;

information on annual yield for every water body.

  1. 2151. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation of organic seaweed shall include:

1) description of facilities on land and in the sea;

2) conclusion from the environmental impact assessment in the cases stipulated in clause 194 of this Procedure;

3) sustainable management plan for organic seaweed production, developed in compliance with clause 195 of this Procedure.

 

Detailed rules for production of organic food products

 

  1. Food additives, other substances and ingredients used for processing food products, and any processing practice applied shall comply with the requirements established by the Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”.
  2. Operators involved into production and/or storage of food products shall establish and update appropriate procedures based on a systematic analysis of risks, dangerous factors, as well as control of critical processing points (HACCP).
  3. Production of organic food products with application of the procedures specified in clause 217 of this Procedure shall ensure compliance with this Procedure.
  4. Operators shall comply with requirements for production of organic food products, and shall in particular:

use preferably biological, mechanical and physical methods of production;

use organic ingredients during production (added water and cooking salt shall not be taken into account when calculating percentage of organic ingredients);

take due preventive measures to avoid risk of contamination with non-authorised substances or products;

implement suitable measures for cleaning and disinfection of production machinery and facilities;

implement suitable measures for cleaning food products if necessary;

control efficiency of the cleaning and disinfection measures taken and maintain register of such operations;

keep records and document all stages of the technological process of production of organic food;

take the necessary measures to ensure identification and traceability of every lot of organic food products and to avoid mixtures with or replacement by organic and non-organic products.

  1. If non-organic products are produced or stored at the same production unit with organic products, the operator shall:

carry out the operations for processing organic products continuously until the production run has been completed, and such operations shall be separated in place or time from similar operations performed on non-organic products;

store organic products, before and after the respective operations, separate from non-organic products;

inform the certification body accordingly in compliance with this Procedure and the Procedure for Certification of Organic Production, and maintain the register of all stages of technological process and quantities processed;

take the necessary measures to ensure identification of product lots and to avoid mixtures with or replacement by organic and non-organic products;

carry out operations on organic products only after suitable cleaning of the production equipment and tools.

  1. In production of organic food, with the exception of products of the wine sector for which clause 224 of this Procedure shall apply, the following may be used:

food additives, processing aids, flavourings, microbial cultures and enzymes, minerals, microadditives, vitamins, amino acids and other micronutrients that are added to food products to satisfy special nutritional requirements, if they have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components);

non-organic ingredients of agricultural origin, if they have been included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), only if the certification body has approved their use in organic production. Such approval can be issued only if this ingredient is not available in its organic form.

  1. In production of organic food, with the exception of products of the wine sector for which requirements of clause 224 of this Procedure shall apply, only the following food additives and other substances may be used:

1) certain products and substances allowed to be used in production of processed organic products and processing aids for production of organic yeast and yeast products, included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), if mandatory use of such substances in food products is provided for by law.

2) preparations of micro-organisms and enzymes normally used in food processing, provided that food enzymes to be used as food additives have been authorised as food additives (carriers) pursuant to the List of substances (ingredients, components), if mandatory use of such substances in food products is provided for by law.

3) substances and products that have been labelled as natural flavouring substances or natural flavouring preparations included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), if mandatory use of such substances in food products is provided for by law;

4) colours for stamping meat and eggshell;

5) drinking water and salt (with sodium chloride or potassium chloride as basic components) generally used for food processing;

6) minerals, trace elements, micronutrients, vitamins, amino acids and other microelements included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), provided that:

their use in food for normal consumption is directly legally required, with the consequence that the food cannot be placed at all on the market as food for normal consumption if those minerals, vitamins, amino acids or micronutrients are not added;

or if a food product for groups of people with specific needs shall, according to the legislation, contain such minerals (microadditives), vitamins, amino acids and/or micronutrients.

Additives and substances referred to in subclauses 1, 2, 3 and 6 of this clause shall be used by the operator upon approval of the certification body in cases established by law.

Consent of the certification body is granted in accordance with the Procedure for Certification of Organic Production.

Additives and substances referred to in subclauses 2–6 of this clause shall not be calculated as ingredients of agricultural origin.

  1. A certification body can authorise the use of non-organic food ingredients of agricultural origin, provided that the operator has submitted to the certification body all the necessary proof that the organic ingredients in question are not produced in the country in sufficient quantity or not imported from other countries. Such authorisation shall be subject to annual revision.

The authorisation is granted in accordance with the Procedure for Certification of Organic Production and can be revoked if the evidence emerges that the situation with supply of such ingredients of agricultural origin has been improved.

  1. Requirements for organic wine making are as follows:

1) the use of raw materials produced in compliance with the requirements of the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products;

2) the use of only those products and substances that have been authorised to be used in or added to organic wine products, included into the List of substances (ingredients, components), subject to the conditions and restrictions laid down in this Procedure;

3) the use of the following oenological practices, processes and methods shall be allowed subject to conditions as follows:

heat treatments, provided that the temperature does not exceed 75°C;

centrifuging and filtration with or without an inert filtering agent, provided that the size of the pores is not smaller than 0.2 micrometres;

4) the use of the following oenological practices, processes and treatments shall be prohibited:

partial concentration through cooling;

elimination of sulphur dioxide by physical processes;

electrodialysis treatment to ensure the tartaric stabilisation of the wine;

partial dealcoholisation of wine;

treatment with cation exchangers to ensure the tartaric stabilisation of the wine;

5) compliance with the requirements laid down in clause 219 of this Procedure.

  1. 2241. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation of organic products in the sphere of organic food production (including viticulture products) shall include:

the range of food products produced by the operator;

the list of suppliers of organic ingredients used in the course of organic food production;

ingredients of organic food product produced by the operator.

 

Detailed rules for organic feed production

  1. Feed materials, feed additives and ingredients used in production of feed, and any processing practice applied shall be applied on the basis of good manufacturing practice.
  2. Operators involved into production and/or storage of feed shall establish and update appropriate procedures based on a systematic analysis of risks, dangerous factors, as well as control of critical processing points (HACCP).
  3. Production of organic feed with application of the procedures specified in clause 226 of this Procedure shall ensure compliance with this Procedure.
  4. Requirements for the production of organic feed are as follows:

production of feed from organic raw material, except cases when such organic feed materials are not available at the market. This being said, organic feed materials shall not enter simultaneously with the same feed materials produced by non-organic means into the composition of the organic feed product;

any feed materials used in organic production shall not have been processed with the aid of chemically synthesised solvents;

minimisation of the use of feed additives and processing aids, except cases when this is necessary for technological or zootechnical purposes, or to satisfy the specific nutritional requirements;

preference shall be given to biological, mechanical and physical production methods;

the feed may not contain more than one agricultural ingredient produced in the conversion period;

keeping records and documenting all technological processes used in production of feed;

taking the necessary measures to ensure identification and traceability of every lot of organic feed and to avoid mixtures with or replacement by organic and non-organic feed materials.

  1. If non-organic products are produced or stored at the same production unit with organic products, the operator shall comply with the procedures provided for by clause 220 of this Procedure.
  2. 2291. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation in the sphere of organic feed production shall include:

description of all facilities used for acceptance, preparation and storage of the products that are used to prepare output feed at every production stage;

description of all facilities where products used for preparation of feed are stored;

description of all facilities that are used for storage of products for cleaning and disinfection;

description of premixed feed which the operator intends to produce in compliance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, and the animal species for which this premixed feed is intended (if such activity is carried out);

name of the feed materials which the operator intends to prepare (if such activity is carried out).

 

Detailed rules for collection of organic wild flora

 

  1. The collection and harvesting of organic wild flora shall comply with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products; flora protection, use and restoration; specific use of natural plant and forest resources; the system of official permits (licenses, forest usage permits, limits, etc.) and awards of the respective public authorities as regards protection, conservation, efficient, non-depleting use of natural plant resources.
  2. The collection and harvesting of organic wild flora shall prevent any pollution of the environment and exclude depletion of the species being collected or harvested.
  3. While collecting organic wild flora, the operators involved in harvesting, collection and/or production of organic plants shall ensure at the designated areas:

stability of the natural habitat, maintenance of the plant species in the collection area;

compliance with the procedure of the specific use of natural resources based on respective special permits.

  1. Wild flora shall be collected in the areas which for a period of at least three years before the collection were not treated with substances (ingredients, components) other than those authorized for use in organic production, and which are allowed to be used in the maximum permissible amount. The operator shall have the relevant documentary evidence issued by the owner, land-holder, user or administrator of the collection areas, or by the relevant authority authorised to perform control as regards conservation, protection, use, regeneration of wild flora in the respective area.

If the requirements are complied with, the areas as follows can also be considered territories for organic wild flora collection:

orchards (perennial fruit and berry plantations) that are used only for collecting fruit and berries, provided that no other agricultural activity is being carried out in the orchards;

areas that have been fallow for the last three years;

areas used for livestock grazing and hay harvesting, if fertilisers are not applied and the maximum number of animals per one hectare does not exceed the number laid down in Annex 1.

  1. It is prohibited to collect organic wild flora at the plots of land adjacent to houses, unless the trees are over 25 years old or their diameter exceeds 35 cm and the operator maintains register of such plants (stating the plant species, subspecies and cultivars).
  2. Commercially harvesting wild flora included into the Ukraine’s List of endangered species shall be prohibited.
  3. Measures for control of pests, disease and rodents while drying and storing organic wild flora shall be taken using the methods and substances included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  4. When storing organic wild flora, it’s necessary to ensure identification of the lots and prevent any mixing with products and/or substances prohibited for use in organic production, or contamination with such products and/or substances.
  5. Organic wild flora shall be stored separately from non-organic agricultural products and/or food products.
  6. The operator shall:

take all the necessary measures to ensure identification of the lots of organic wild flora and to avoid mixtures with or replacement by non-organic products;

carry out regular cleaning and disinfection of the buildings and facilities used for storing organic wild flora, with substances authorized for use in organic production, and which are allowed to be used in the maximum permissible amount. All cleaning measures shall be recorded by the operator;

maintain records as regards the collection site, the amount of collected wild flora, organic wild flora collection limits, observations on regeneration after the previous harvest;

maintain registers of production, procurement, acceptance and storage;

keep original receipts/invoices for all the purchased products and all the marketed lots of organic wild flora;

keep the permit for special use (extraction, collection) of the species included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and other documents related to harvesting of organic wild flora.

The documents shall be kept for the period of 10 years.

  1. 2391. The branch-specific description of the operator that carries out organic production and/or circulation of organic products in the sphere of organic wild flora collection shall include:

information about the granted special authorisations to use natural plant resources and special authorisations to use forest resources;

information about the documents that have been issued as determined by clause 233 of this Procedure;

description of the area where organic wild collection is taking place.

 

Special aspects of granting exceptions

 

  1. To enable the operator to start or continue organic production in the event of restrictions related to climatic conditions, geographical location, holdings’ structure, upon authorisation of the certification body:

cattle may be tethered in small holdings if it is not possible to keep the cattle in groups appropriate to their behavioural needs, provided that herbivores have access to pastures during the grazing period whenever the weather and soil conditions allow, and have access to open air areas at least twice a week when grazing is not possible;

where bees are kept for pollination purposes, an operator may run organic and non-organic beekeeping production units on the same holding, provided that all the requirements for organic production are met, with the exception of the provisions for the siting of the apiaries. In that case the product cannot be sold as organic.

  1. When a flock is constituted for the first time, renewed or reconstituted and organically reared poultry are not available in sufficient numbers, non-organically reared poultry may be brought into an organic poultry production unit, with prior authorisation of the certification body, provided that the pullets for the production of eggs and poultry for meat production are nor more than three days old.
  2. The operator may, with prior authorisation of the certification body, bring into an organic poultry production unit non-organically reared pullets, when organically reared pullets are not available in sufficient quantity, and provided that the non-organically reared pullets for egg production are not more than 18 weeks old.

Such authorisation of the certification body shall be carried out in accordance with the Procedure for certification of organic production

  1. As an exception, in order to enable the operator to use non-organic feed, seeds, planting material, live animals and other agricultural products in the absence of such organic agricultural products on the market, the operator may use a part of non-organic protein feed of plant and animal origin for pigs and poultry if it is impossible to obtain organic protein feed, subject to documentary evidence of the need to use non-organic feed.

The maximum percentage of non-organic protein feed authorised per period of 12 months for pigs and poultry shall be 5%. The figures shall be calculated annually as a percentage of the dry matter of feed of plant or animal origin.

  1. In the case of new apiaries or during the conversion period, non-organic beeswax may be used only provided that it comes from beehives, if:

beeswax from organic beekeeping is not available on the market;

it is proven free from contamination with substances prohibited for use in organic production, as provided for in Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products”.

  1. The certification body may grant authorisation for the operator to use non-organic seed or seed potatoes, only in the following cases:

where the variety which the operator wants to use is not registered in the State Register of organic seeds and planting material, and the user is able to demonstrate that none of the registered alternatives of the same species are appropriate;

where no supplier who markets seed or seed potatoes to other operators is able to deliver the seed or seed potatoes before sowing or planting in situations where the user has ordered the seed or seed potatoes in reasonable time;

where it is justified for use in research, test in small-scale field trials or for variety conservation purposes agreed by the certification body.

  1. The authorisation shall be granted before sowing of the crop on a case-by-case basis, and for one growing season only. The certification body shall register the quantities of seed or seed potatoes authorised.
  2. The final fattening phase of adult bovines for meat production may take place indoors, provided that this indoors period does not exceed one fifth of their lifetime and in any case for a maximum period of three months.
  3. The certification body may grant authorisations on a temporary basis as follows:

in case of high mortality of animals caused by health problems or catastrophic circumstances, for the renewal or reconstitution of the herd or flock with non-organic animals, when organically reared animals are not available;

in case of high mortality of bees caused by health problems or catastrophic circumstances, for the reconstitution of the apiaries with non-organic bees, when bees from organic apiaries are not available;

for the use of non-organic feedingstuffs for a limited period and in relation to a specific area by individual operators, when forage production is lost or when restrictions are imposed, in particular as a result of exceptional meteorological conditions, the outbreak of infectious diseases, the contamination with toxic substances, or as a consequence of fires;

for feeding of bees with organic honey, organic sugar or organic sugar syrup in case of long lasting exceptional weather conditions or catastrophic circumstances, which hamper nectar production.

Upon approval by the competent authority, individual operators shall keep documentary evidence of the use of the above exceptions.

 

Special aspects of carrying out parallel and simultaneous production

Parallel production

 

  1. As an exception, in order to ensure the operator’s ability to start or continue organic production in the presence of restrictions related to climatic conditions, geographical location, holdings’ structure (in particular, this applies to tethering animals, keeping bees for pollination, parallel production), an operator may carry out organic and non-organic production in the same area:

1) in the case of production of perennial crops, which require a cultivation period of at least three years, where varieties cannot be easily differentiated, provided the following conditions are met:

the production in question forms part of a conversion plan which provides for the beginning of the conversion of the last part of the area concerned to organic production in the period which may not in any event exceed a maximum of five years. The conversion plan shall be approved by the certification body and this approval shall be confirmed each year after the start of the conversion plan;

appropriate measures have been taken to ensure permanent separation of the products obtained from each production unit concerned;

the certification body is notified of the harvest at least 48 hours in advance;

upon completion of the harvest, the operator informs the certification body of the exact quantities harvested at the production units concerned and of the measures applied to separate the products;

the conversion plan and the control measures have been approved by the certification body. This approval shall be confirmed each year after the start of implementation of the conversion plan;

2) in the case of areas intended for agricultural research and/or educational purposes;

3) in the case of production of seed, vegetative propagating material and transplants, and provided the conditions set out in paragraphs three – six of subclause 1 of this clause are met;

4) in the case of grassland exclusively used for grazing.

Coordination of the conversion plan, informing the certification body and approval by the certification body of the conversion plan and control measures are carried out in accordance with the terms of the agreement for certification of organic production between the certification body and the operator.

  1. The operator may rear organic and non-organic livestock of the same species to carry out agricultural research and/or formal education, provided the approval has been granted by the certification body in accordance with the terms of the agreement for certification of organic production between the certification body and the operator, and where the following conditions are met:

appropriate measures, notified in advance to the certification body, have been taken in order to ensure permanent separation between livestock, livestock products, manure and feedingstuffs of each of the production units;

the operator informs the certification body in advance of any delivery or selling of the livestock or livestock products;

the operator informs the certification body of the exact quantities produced in each production unit, together with all characteristics permitting identification of the products, and confirms with documents that the measures taken to separate the products have been applied.

 

Simultaneous production

 

  1. Non-organic livestock may be present on the holding provided they are reared on the production units where the buildings and parcels are separated clearly from the units producing in accordance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products, and a different species is involved.
  2. Non-organic livestock may use organic pasturage for a limited period of time each year, provided that such animals are not present at the same time with organic animals on that pasture. Information about such measures shall be recorded in the register.
  3. Organic animals may graze on common land, provided that:

the land has not been treated with products not authorised for use in organic production for at least three years;

any livestock food products and/or by-products from organic animals, whilst using this land, shall not be regarded as being from organic production, unless adequate segregation from non-organic animals can be proved.

  1. During the period of transhumance animals may graze on non-organic land when they are being moved on foot from one grazing area to another. The uptake of non-organic feed, in the form of grass and other vegetation on which the animals graze, during this period shall not exceed 10% of the total feed ration per year. This figure shall be calculated as a percentage of the dry matter of feedingstuffs of plant or animal origin.
  2. Operators shall keep documentary evidence of the use of provisions referred to in this subsection.

 

Specific aspects of storage of organic products

 

  1. During storage of unpackaged organic products, it is necessary to ensure record-keeping, identification of each batch and prevent any mixing with non-organic products, in particular in-conversion products and/or contaminants.
  2. In organic plant and livestock production units it is prohibited to store input products other than those included into the List of substances (ingredients, components).
  3. In case where operators handle both non-organic and organic products and these both product types are stored in the same storage facilities, such operators shall:

keep the organic products separate from non-organic products during storage;

take every measure to ensure identification of consignments of the organic products;

avoid exchange and mixing of the organic products with non-organic products;

before placing organic products for storage, take appropriate measures to clean storage facilities and structures and check the effectiveness of such measures.

Operators shall record these operations.

  1. The organic products can be stored only in storage facilities that have been checked by the certification body.

 

Specific aspects of transporting organic products

 

  1. With the view to transport organic products to production or preparation units, operators may carry out simultaneous handling of organic and non-organic products, only where appropriate measures are taken to prevent any possible mixture with or replacement by non-organic products. The operator shall keep the information relating to the days and hours of handling organic and non-organic products, route, date and time of reception of the products available, and provide it to the certification body upon the latter’s request.
  2. Operators shall ensure that organic products are transported only in appropriate packaging, containers or vehicles closed in such a manner that they cannot be opened without damage of the seal, and provided with a label stating information as follows:

the name and address of the operator and, where different, of the owner or seller of the product;

the name of the product or a description of the compound feedingstuff accompanied by a reference to the organic production method;

the name and/or the code number of the certification body that has certified organic production;

where relevant, the lot identification mark according to a lot marking system or a system agreed with the certification body, and which permits to trace the given lot to the consignee.

When transporting organic products, the information referred to in paragraphs two to five of this clause shall be presented on an accompanying document linked with the packaging, container or vehicle. This accompanying document shall include information on the supplier and/or the transporter.

  1. The closing of packaging, containers or vehicles shall not be required only where:

transportation is direct between an operator and another operator who are both subject to the requirements of the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products;

the organic products are accompanied by a document providing the information required under clause 261 of this Procedure.

Both the consignor and the consignee shall keep documentary records of such transport operations available for the certification body.

  1. In addition to the provisions of clauses 261 and 262 of this Procedure, when transporting feed to other production or preparation units or storage premises, operators shall ensure that the following conditions are met:

during transport, organically-produced feed, in-conversion feed, and non-organic feed shall be effectively physically separated;

the transport of finished organic feed shall be separated physically or in time from the transport of other products;

  1. The vehicles and/or containers which have transported non-organic products before, may be used to transport organic products provided that:

before commencing the transport of organic products, the operator shall carry out suitable measures for cleaning the vehicle and/or container, and such cleaning measures shall be recorded;

the operator shall ensure implementation of all appropriate measures, depending on the risk evaluation, and, where necessary, operators shall guarantee that non-organic products cannot be placed on the market with an indication referring to organic production;

the operator shall keep documentary records of such transport operations available for the certification body.

  1. During transport, the operator shall record the quantity of products at the start and each individual quantity delivered in the course of a delivery round.
  2. On receipt of an organic product, the operator shall check the closing of the packaging or container, and the presence of the information stated in clause 261 of this Procedure.

The operator shall crosscheck the information on the label referred to in clause 261 of this Procedure with the information on the accompanying documents and show the results of such crosscheck in the documentary accounts.

  1. Organic products shall be imported from a third country in appropriate packaging or containers, closed in a manner preventing substitution of the content; the operator shall ensure the possibility to identify the exporter and have any other information to identify the lot of the goods. Organic products shall be accompanied by the certificate as appropriate.

On receipt of an organic product imported from a third country the first consignee shall check the closing of the packaging or container, as well as the certificate.

  1. All documents as regards the transport conditions and amount of the organic products shall be kept for at least 5 years.

 

Special aspects of labelling of certain types of organic products

Specific labelling requirements for feed

  1. Processed feed can be labelled as organic product, provided that:

the product has been produced in compliance with the requirements of the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products;

at least 95% of the product’s dry matter is organic.

  1. In the case of products comprising variable quantities of feed from organic production and/or feed from in-conversion products and/or substances stated in clause 60 of this Procedure, and subject to the requirements laid down in the second paragraph of clause 269 of this Procedure, the following statement is permitted: “May be used in organic production in accordance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products”.
  2. The indication “May be used in organic production in accordance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products” shall be:

1) presented in a format, colour or font size that do not differ to those in which the other information in the list of ingredients is presented;

2) accompanied, in the same field of vision, by an indication by weight of dry matter referring:

to the percentage of feed material(s) from organic production;

to the percentage of feed material(s) from in-conversion products;

to the percentage of feed material(s) not covered by paragraphs two and three of this subclause;

to the total percentage of animal feed of agricultural origin;

3) accompanied by the list of names of organic feed materials;

4) accompanied by the list of names of in-conversion feed materials.

  1. The indication “May be used in organic production in accordance with the legislation in the sphere of organic production, circulation and labelling of organic products” may be also accompanied by a reference to the requirement to use the feedingstuffs in accordance with clauses 57–60 of this Procedure.
  2. This subsection shall not apply to labelling of pet food and feed for fur animals or feed for aquaculture animals.

 

Specific labelling requirements for in-conversion products of plant origin

  1. In-conversion products of plant origin may bear the indication “Product in conversion to organic farming” provided that:

a conversion period of at least 12 months before the harvest has been complied with;

the product contains only one ingredient of agricultural origin.

  1. This being said, the indication “Product in conversion to organic farming” shall appear in a format, colour and size of lettering that do not differ to those in which the other information in the list of ingredients is presented.
  2. Labelling of such product shall include the registration number of the certification body that has certified organic production.

 

 

Annex 1 to the Procedure (Detailed Rules) of Organic Production and Circulation of Organic Products

 

Indoor and Outdoor Areas

 

  1. Indoor and outdoor areas for keeping bovine, equine, ovine, cervine and porcine animals

 

NameIndoor areaOutdoor area (exercise area, excluding pasturage),

m2

/animal

animal live weight, kgstocking density,

m2

/animal

Bovine and equineup to 1001.51.1
up to 2002.51.9
up to 35043
over 3505

(at least

1 m2 per

100 kg of live weight)

3.7

(at least

0.75 m2 per

100 kg of live weight)

Dairy cows64.5
Bulls for breeding1030
Sheep and goats1.52.5
Lambs and kids0.350.5
Farrowing sows with piglets up to 40 days7.5

(per sow)

2.5
Fattening pigsup to 500.80.6
up to 851.10.8
up to 1101.31
over 1101.51.2
Piglets

(over 40 days)

up to 300.60.4
Brood pigs:
female2.51.9
male6

(if pens are used for natural service:

10 m2 per

boar)

8
Rabbits for breeding0.55
Does with baby rabbits0.75
Rabbits for fattening and young rabbits0.25

 

 

 

 

  1. Indoor and outdoor areas for poultry

 

NameIndoor areaOutdoor area, m2/bird
No. of birds

per 1 m2

cm perch/birdbirds/nest
Laying hens6187

(in case of a common nest –

120 cm2 per one bird)

4
Fattening poultry in fixed housing
guinea fowl10

with a maximum of

21 kg of live weight per 1 m2

204
table chickens4
ducks4.5
turkey10
geese15
Fattening poultry in mobile housing16

(max. floor area

150 m2) with a maximum of 30 kg liveweight/m2

2.5

 

___________________

 

 

Annex 2 to the Procedure (Detailed Rules) of Organic Production and Circulation of Organic Products

 

Maximum number of animals

per hectare of agricultural land

 

Class or speciesMaximum number of animals per

1 ha of agricultural land

Equines (over six months old)2
Calves for fattening5
Other bovine animals less than 12 months old5
Male bovine animals (from 12 to 24 months old)3.3
Female bovine animals (from 12 to 24 months old)3.3
Male bovine animals (over 24 months old)2
Breeding heifers2.5
Heifers for fattening2.5
Dairy cows2
Cull dairy cows2
Female breeding rabbits100
Fattening rabbits680
Ewes13.3
Goats13.3
Piglets74
Breeding sows6.5
Fattening pigs14
Other pigs14
Table chickens580
Laying hens230

 

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Annex 3 to the Procedure (Detailed Rules) of Organic Production and Circulation of Organic Products

 

List of plant protection products

 

  1. Substances of plant and animal origin

 

Azadirachtin extracted from Azadirachta indica;

beeswax;

hydrolysed proteins;

plant oils (e.g. mint oil, pine oil, caraway oil);

pyrethrins extracted from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium;

quassia extracted from Quassia amara;

rotenone extracted from Derris spp. and Lonchocarpus spp. and Terphrosia spp.

 

  1. Products to be used in traps

 

Diammonium phosphate;

pyrethroids (only deltamethrin or lambdacyhalothrin).

 

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Annex 4 to the Procedure (Detailed Rules) of Organic Production and Circulation of Organic Products

 

List of requirements for production of certain aquaculture objects

Application areaRequirements

 

  1. Organic production of salmonids in fresh water (river trout (Salmo trutta)), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), salmon (Salmo salar), char (Salvelinus alpinus), grayling (Thymallus thymallus), American lake trout (or grey trout) (Salvelinus namaycush), Danube salmon (Hucho hucho)

 

Production system–nutrition in the feeding systems of the aquaculture production holding shall be provided from the open systems. The water flow shall provide for at least 60 per cent of oxygen for the aquaculture animals and ensure their comfort and effluent water removal
Max. stocking density–for other salmonids – less than 15 kg/m3

salmon – less than 20 kg/m3

river trout and rainbow trout – less than 25 kg/m3

Arctic char – less than 25 kg/m3

 

 

  1. Organic production of sturgeon (Acipenser) in fresh water

 

System of production–water flow in every holding shall be sufficient to ensure the well-being of the animals
 –effluent water quality shall correspond to the inflowing water quality
Max. stocking density–30 g/m3

 

  1. Organic production of fish in the inland waters (Cyprinidae and other related species in the context of polyculture, including perch, pike, catfish, whitefish, sturgeon)

 

System of production–in regularly drained fish ponds and in lakes. Lakes shall be used exclusively for organic production, including production in dry areas
–fish capture zone shall have fresh water areas of size that provides optimal comfort for fish. After capture fish shall be kept in clean water
–treatments involving synthetic chemicals for the control of hydrophytes and plant coverage present in production waters shall be prohibited
–polyculture for finishing purposes may be used, provided that the criteria set out in the available characteristics for other species of lake fish are duly applied
Product yield–total annual production of all species is limited to 1500 kg/ha

 

  1. Organic production of crayfish (Astacus astacus)

 

Max. stocking density–for small-sized crayfish (<20 mm): 100 crayfish per m2. For middle-sized crayfish (20–50 mm): 30 crayfish per m2. For adult crayfish (>50 mm): 10 crayfish per m2, provided the availability of the sufficient number of hiding places

 

  1. Organic production of molluscs

 

System of production–horizontal lines, floating structures, bottom cultivation, pond nets, cages, trays, lantern nets, vertical Bouchot-type poles and other containment systems
 –for mussel cultivation on floating structures, the number of hanging ropes shall not exceed one rope per one m2 of surface. Max. length of the hanging rope shall not exceed 20 m. Thinning of ropes shall not take place during the production cycle, however separation of the above mentioned ropes is allowed without increase in the initial stocking density.

 

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