Biosecurity and Animal Health in Organic Farming PDF

Biosecurity and Animal Health in Organic Farming Organic farming practices emphasize the health and well-being of animals, prioritizing natural methods and minimizing the use of synthetic inputs. This section delves into the crucial aspects of biosecurity, animal health, transport, slaughter, and ma...

Biosecurity and Animal Health in Organic Farming Organic farming practices emphasize the health and well-being of animals, prioritizing natural methods and minimizing the use of synthetic inputs. This section delves into the crucial aspects of biosecurity, animal health, transport, slaughter, and manure management within the context of organic farming. 6.7 Biosecurity Measures 1 Preventative Measures 2 Continuous Monitoring Mandatory biosecurity and The implementation of quarantine procedures are biosecurity measures should essential to prevent the be continuously monitored to introduction and spread of assess the effectiveness of the diseases within the farm. A program. The farm should written protocol outlining have the appropriate and biosecurity measures should functional layout and be in place, along with proper infrastructure to ensure warning signage. effective implementation of these measures. 3 Quarantine for Brought-In Animals All "brought-in" animals must undergo appropriate quarantine measures or treatment to prevent the introduction of diseases. This ensures the health and well-being of the entire farm population. 6.8 Animal Health Practices Preventative Animal Veterinary Supervision Treatment and Record Husbandry Keeping Animal health care should be The farm owner should take all supervised by a duly licensed If an animal becomes sick or biosecurity measures to ensure the veterinarian. The well-being of the injured, it should be treated health and well-being of the animals is paramount in the choice promptly and adequately. animals through preventative of treatment, and treatment should Treatment records should be kept, animal husbandry practices. These not be withheld for economic clearly identifying the animals include selecting appropriate reasons. Natural remedies and concerned, including details of the breeds or strains of animals, complementary medical methods treatment and its duration, as well adopting Good Animal Husbandry have first priority, but allopathic or as the generic name of the active Practices, providing good quality chemotherapeutic drugs are ingredient(s), indications and feed, maintaining appropriate allowed when necessary. contraindications, brand name, stocking densities, and withdrawal period, batch number, implementing grazing rotation and and manufacturing and expiration pasture management. date of drugs used. Prohibited Substances and Treatment Limits Prohibited Substances Treatment Records The use of the following substances is prohibited: all steroids and The farm operator shall keep updated and complete records of other synthetic growth promoters or enhancers; substances of animal health programs including disease monitoring, vaccination synthetic origin for production stimulation or suppression of and de-worming program, and other biosafety measures. Records natural growth; and hormones for heat and parturition induction, should be easily accessible. and heat synchronization. However, such substances may be used in individual animals with reproductive disorders/conditions as prescribed by the attending duly licensed veterinarian. Medicine Administration Records Treatment Limits The farm shall maintain updated records of medicine purchased A maximum of three (3) treatments using allopathic medicines is and administration that should be readily available for verification. allowed per animal per year. Administration records shall consist of the following Veterinary Drug Order (VDO) accompanied by a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR): type of drugs or medication used; quantity of medicine used; date administered; identification and number of animals treated; withdrawal period; and name and license of the administering veterinarian. 6.9 Transport and Slaughter 1 2 3 Transport Requirements Handling and Restraint Slaughter Considerations The organic integrity of animals must be Animals shall always be handled or restrained Appropriate measures such as separate maintained throughout the entire process of in such a way to protect them from fear, schedule of stocking during pre-slaughter and transport and slaughter. Each animal or group stress, pain, and injury. The handling shall be separate schedule or facility shall be of animals shall be identifiable at each step in calm and gentle. The use of electric prods and implemented during slaughter to prevent the transport and slaughter process. Animals such instruments shall be restricted. Tools commingling and contamination of organic shall be transported using a licensed shall be used in a manner that minimizes with conventional animals. Separate transport carrier and accompanied by a duly stress and does not harm the animals. slaughterhouse for organic is recommended. licensed animal handler responsible for the well-being of the animals in accordance with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act. Organic Farming Principles Biosecurity Preventative measures to protect animals from disease Animal Health Prioritizing natural remedies and minimizing the use of synthetic drugs Transport and Slaughter Ensuring humane and ethical treatment throughout the process