The NPA has joined forces with NFU and stakeholders across the industry to urge the European Commission to extend two derogations for organic pig and poultry, which are due to end on December 31, 2017.
Due to tight supplies of organic proteins, farmers are currently allowed to feed their pig and poultry up to 5% non-organic protein. Where organically-reared pullets are not available, poultry farmers are also allowed to buy in pullets of up to 18 weeks old, provided they have been managed under the organic feed and veterinary standard.
Without Commission intervention, these derogations will revert back to original regulation which requires a 100% organic diet in 2018.
This could have severe consequences to the organic sector, such as being unable to source the right nutrition, as well as being a major welfare concern for young animals, the NFU and NPA warned.
NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: “It is vital for the organic pig sector that these derogations are extended to ensure that producers can continue to control the welfare and diet of their animals.
“Without these derogations, there are serious concerns that the pig and poultry sectors would not be able to source the right nutrition to give their animals the best possible diet.”
Health and welfare
NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said it was vital for the organic poultry sector that an extension to these derogations is granted as soon as possible. Producers are planning now for 2018 and currently have no certainty whether these derogations will be in place.
“Organic producers would like nothing more than to use 100% organic feed but they don’t want to do this at the expense of their animals’ health and welfare, which is why an extension is so important.
“The NFU and NPA, along with industry experts, have met with Government officials to stress these concerns and ensure the voice of the organic pig and poultry sector is heard. We will continue to push this agenda with MEPs and the Commission until the situation is resolved.
“The organic poultry sector continues to grow and it would be extremely disappointing to see these concerns go unaddressed.”
Other organisations have supported the NFU and NPAs call, including OF&G, which certifies over 50% of UK organic land and the British Poultry Council, which represents nearly 90% of the UK poultry meat sector.
The future of these derogations will be discussed at the next EU Committee on Organic Production (COP) meeting on September 27.