NOP Federal Rules About Treating Sick Animals (Livestock, Chickens, Pigs, etc)

NOP Federal Rules About Treating Sick Animals (Livestock, Chickens, Pigs, etc)

People often ask if organic standards are cruel to animals because a sick animal isn't treated with antibiotics.

That's simply not true!.

The NOP (National Organic Program law and rules

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put in place a set of national standards that food labeled "organic" must meet, whether it is grown in the United States or imported from other countries.  USDA's National Organic Program regulates the standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced. After October 21, 2002, when you buy food labeled "organic," you can be sure that it was produced using the highest organic production and handling standards in the world. The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (NSAIS) describes organic farm certification and the National Organic Program this way:

NOP Federal Rules About Treating Sick Animals

Under the National Organic Program (NOP) organic standards, treating sick animals with antibiotics and returning them to the herd is subject to strict regulations to maintain the integrity of organic farming and ensure animal welfare. Here is a summary of the procedures:

1. Preventive Measures

   Organic livestock operations should prioritize preventive measures to minimize the need for antibiotics. This includes providing proper nutrition, sanitation, and access to the outdoors to reduce the risk of disease.
   

2. Preference for Organic Practices

   Organic producers are encouraged to use organic practices and treatments whenever possible. This means using organic-approved methods such as herbal remedies, homeopathy, and other non-synthetic treatments before considering antibiotics.
   

3. Veterinary Involvement

   If an animal falls ill and requires antibiotics, the guidance of a veterinarian is essential. Organic standards require that antibiotics be administered under the supervision and guidance of a licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian should provide a diagnosis, treatment plan, and withdrawal periods for antibiotics.
   

4. Antibiotic Selection

   Organic standards dictate that antibiotics used should be approved for use in organic livestock production. The selection of antibiotics should be based on their efficacy and the animal's welfare, with an emphasis on minimizing harm to the animal Pain medication and dewormers (for dairy and breeder stock) are examples of allowed animal drugs. These therapies are only allowed if preventive strategies fail and the animal becomes ill.
   The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances identifies substances that may and may not be used in organic crop and livestock production. It also lists the substances that may be used in or on processed organic products. In general, synthetic substances are prohibited unless specifically allowed and non-synthetic substances are allowed unless specifically prohibited. For example, a vaccine used to prevent pinkeye in livestock is an allowed synthetic substance and arsenic is an example of a prohibited natural substance. Some substances on the National List may only be used in specific situations, e.g. only for certain crops or up to a maximum amount.
   

5. Withdrawal Periods

   AAfter antibiotic treatment, a withdrawal period is required. This period ensures that the animal does not enter the organic food supply until the antibiotics have cleared from its system. The withdrawal period is specified by the veterinarian and should be followed diligently. The National Organic Program (NOP) requires a withdrawal period of at least twice the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) or FDA withholding times.
   The NOP withdrawal regulations are found here. Here are some withdrawal periods for organic livestock:
   Meat: At least 42 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter
   Milk: At least 8 days after administering to dairy animals
   Lidocaine: 8 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter
   Lime, hydrated: 7 days after administering to dairy animals
   
   

6. Identification and Record-Keeping

   The treated animal should be identified and tracked to prevent it from being mistakenly sold as organic meat or dairy. Detailed records of the treatment, withdrawal period, and the identity of the animal should be maintained.
   

7. Culling or Removal

   If an animal's condition does not improve with treatment, it may be culled or removed from the organic herd. Sick animals that recover but are no longer in compliance with organic standards should also be removed from the organic herd.
   
   

8. Preventing Repeat Antibiotic Use

   Continuous antibiotic treatment of an animal is discouraged under organic standards. If an animal requires repeated treatments, a determination should be made regarding its suitability for organic production.
   

9. Herd Health Planning

   Organic producers are encouraged to develop a comprehensive herd health plan that focuses on prevention, proper care, and disease management. The plan should emphasize organic practices and holistic animal welfare.

It's essential for organic livestock producers to follow these procedures carefully to maintain the organic integrity of their operation. The goal is to provide appropriate care for sick animals while upholding the principles of organic agriculture, including animal welfare and organic practices.

 

When I go to a farm or the supermarket, how can I tell organically produced food from conventionally produced food?

You must look at package labels and watch for signs in the supermarket.  Along with the national organic standards, USDA developed strict labeling rules to help consumers know the exact organic content of the food they buy.  The USDA Organic seal also tells you that a product is at least 95 percent organic.
                                                                       

Single-ingredient foods

Look for the word "organic" and a small sticker version of the USDA Organic seal on vegetables or pieces of fruit.  Or they may appear on the sign above the organic produce display.

The word "organic" and the seal may also appear on packages of meat, cartons of milk or eggs, cheese, and other single-ingredient foods.

Foods with more than one ingredient

The following photo shows examples of the labels that may be used on a wide variety of products that use organic ingredients.

Click photo of follow this link for larger image of cereal boxes.

The sample cereal boxes show the four labeling categories.  From left:  cereal with 100 percent organic ingredients; cereal with 95-100 percent organic ingredients; cereal made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients; and cereal with less than 70 percent organic ingredients.  Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients may list specific organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package.  Look for the name and address of the Government-approved certifier on all packaged products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.

Organic Guide and Fact Sheets

• Introduction to Organic Practices
• Organic Production + Handling Standards
• Organic Livestock Requirements
• Labeling Organic Products
• Allowed + Prohibited Substances in Organic Production + Handling
• Can GMOs be Used in Organic Products?
• Biosecurity in USDA Organic Poultry Operations (pdf)

 

Will I find the USDA Organic seal on all 100 percent organic products, or products with at least 95 percent organic ingredients?

No. The use of the seal is voluntary.

How is use of the USDA Organic seal protected?

People who sell or label a product "organic" when they know it does not meet USDA standards can be fined up to $10,000 for each violation.

Does natural mean organic?

No. Natural and organic are not interchangeable.  Other truthful claims, such as free-range, hormone-free, and natural, can still appear on food labels.  However, don't confuse these terms with "organic."  Only food labeled "organic" has been certified as meeting USDA organic standards.

For more detailed information on the USDA organic standards, visit the USDA National Organic Program website or call the National Organic Program at 202-720-3252, or write USDA-AMS-TM-NOP, Room 4008 S. Bldg., Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence, SW, Washington, DC 20250.

Labeling Package Products

These requirements do not preempt Food and Drug Administration; USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service; or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms labeling regulations or label approval requirements.

Letter Codes for the information below indicate position on package and are defined as follows:

PDP:  Principal Display Panel
IP: Information Panel
IS: Ingredients Statement
OP: Any Other Panel

If you want to claim:	"100 percent Organic" (or similar statement)
Your product:	Must contain 100 percent organically produced ingredients, not counting added water and salt.
Your label MUST:	Show an ingredient statement when the product consists of more than one ingredient. Show below the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, the statement: "Certified organic by ____" or similar phrase, followed by the name of the Certifying Agent.  Certifying Agent seals may not be used to satisfy this requirement. (IP)
Your label MAY show:	The term "100 percent organic" to modify the product name. (PDP/IP/OP) The term, "organic" to identify the organic ingredients1.  Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) The USDA organic seal and/or certifying agent seal(s). (PDP/OP) The certifying agent business/Internet address or telephone number. (IP)
Your label MUST NOT show:	Not applicable

¹ To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.

 

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If you want to claim:	"Organic" (or similar statement)
Your product:	Must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt. Must not contain added sulfites. May contain up to 5% of: nonorganically produced agricultural ingredients which are not commercially available in organic form; and/or other substances allowed by 7 CFR 205.605.
Your label MUST:	Show an ingredient statement. List the organic ingredients as "organic" when other organic labeling is shown.1  Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) Show below the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, the statement: "Certified organic by ___" or similar phrase, followed by the name of the Certifying Agent.  Certifying Agent seals may not be used to satisfy this requirement.  (IP)
Your label MAY show:	The term "Organic" to modify the product name. (PDP/IP/OP) "X% organic" or "X% organic ingredients." (PDP/IP/OP) The USDA Organic seal and/or certifying agent seal(s). (PDP/OP) The certifying agent business/Internet address or telephone number. (IP)
Your label MUST NOT show:	Not applicable

¹ To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.

 

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If you want to claim:	"Made with Organic Ingredients" (or similar statement)
Your product:	Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt. Must not contain added sulfites; except that, wine may contain added sulfur dioxide in accordance with 7 CFR 205.605. May contain up to 30% of: non-organically produced agricultural ingredients; and/or other substances, including yeast, allowed by 7 CFR 205.605.
Your label MUST:	Show an ingredient statement. List the organic ingredients as "organic" when other organic labeling is shown.1  Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) Show below the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, the statement: "Certified organic by ___" or similar phrase, followed by the name of the Certifying Agent.  Certifying Agent seals may not be used to satisfy this requirement.  (IP)
Your label MAY show:	The term "Made with organic ___ (specified ingredients or food groups)." (PDP/IP/OP) "X% organic" or "X% organic ingredients." (PDP/IP/OP) The certifying agent seal(s). (PDP/OP) The certifying agent business/Internet address or telephone number. (IP)
Your label MUST NOT show:	The USDA Organic seal

¹ To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.
 

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If you want to claim:	That your product has some organic ingredients
Your product:	May contain less than 70% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.   May contain over 30% of: nonorganically produced agricultural ingredients; and/or other substances, without being limited to those in 7 CFR 205.605
Your label MUST:	Show an ingredient statement when the word organic is used.   Identify organic ingredients as "organic" in the ingredients statement1 when % organic is displayed.  Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic.  (IS)
Your label MAY show:	The organic status of ingredients in the ingredients statement.1 Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) "X% organic ingredients" when organically produced ingredients are identified in the ingredient statement.  (IP)
Your label MUST NOT show:	Any other reference to organic contents. The USDA Organic seal. The certifying agent seal.

¹ To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.

References:

Most references are included above within the passages, a few are added here separately:

• Small quantity exemption to NOP