Organic livestock operations must manage manure in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, heavy metals, or pathogenic organisms, and which optimizes the recycling of nutrients. If manure is brought onto the farm from a non-organic source, it cannot have had non-approved synthetic additives added to the manure pits or piles. The non-organic animals could have been fed or bedded with non-organic crops, however.

References and Citations

• CFR Section 7, Part 205, National organic program regulatory text [Online]. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. National Archives and Records Administration. Available at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5a8dc602e6a7f29... (verified 20 Jan 2009).

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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