Organic livestock producers must establish and maintain livestock living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of animals, including:

• Access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to the species, its stage of production, the climate, and the environment;
• Pasture for ruminants during the growing season;
• Appropriate clean, dry bedding (which must be organic if consumed by the species); and
• Shelter designed to allow for:
  1. Natural maintenance, comfort behaviors, and opportunity to exercise;
  2. Temperature levels, ventilation, and air circulation suitable to the species; and
  3. Reduction of potential for livestock injury.

Organic livestock producers may provide temporary confinement for an animal because of:

• Inclement weather;
• The animal's stage of production;
• Conditions under which the health, safety, or well being of the animal could be jeopardized; or
• Risk to soil or water quality.

Please note that §205.203 of the National Organic Program (NOP) final rule (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2000) requires that organic producers must take steps to prevent the contamination of water and minimize soil erosion. Livestock producers must make sure that their animals do not cause stream bank erosion or contaminate water resources.

Organic livestock producers must not use lumber treated with arsenate or other prohibited materials for new installations or replacement purposes in contact with soil or livestock. The prohibition applies to lumber used in direct contact with organic crops and/or livestock, and does not include uses such as lumber used for fence posts or building materials, if the animals are isolated from the lumber by use of electric fences, or other methods approved by the certification agent. If the treated lumber was present prior to application for certification, it may remain, but no new installations are allowed where the animals may consume forage immediately around the posts, or may rub up against the wood, such as in corrals or buildings. Rot-resistant, untreated woods, such as cedar, white oak, or black locust, and metal or concrete posts may be used. Certifiers are not typically concerned about paint, sealers, or whitewash used in barns or other housing facilities.

References and Citations

• United States Department of Agriculture. 2000. National organic program: Final rule. Codified at 7 C.F.R., part 205. (Available online at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=5a8dc602e6a7f29825c884f2a0f3c653&rgn=div5&view=text&node=7:3.1.1.9.31&idno=7) (verified 18 March 2010).

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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