9545 TEAG ORGANIC COVER JUNE08 05/06/2008 16:55 Page 1 Guidelines for Organic Farming Published by: TEAGASC Head Office Oak Park Carlow Email: [email protected] www.teagasc.ie JUNE 2008 Guidelines for Organic Farming Contents Introduction to organic farming 2 The two-year conversion 5 Soil fertility 8 Grassland management 10 Beef production 16 Sheep production 19 Dairying 22 Tillage 25 Horticulture 29 Introduction to poultry production 33 Returns from organic farming 37 Market prospects for organic food 39 Teagasc services for organic farmers 41 Useful contacts 43 chapter 1 Guidelines for Organic Farming Regulations Introduction to Organic A major factor distinguishing organic Farming farming from other approaches to sustainable farming is the existence of Organic farming can be a profitable internationally acknowledged alternative to conventional farming. standards and certification procedures. At EU and global level the industry is The standards for organic production experiencing rapid growth. Currently within the European Union are more than 31 million hectares of defined and enshrined in law by farmland are under organic Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91. management worldwide. The EU land area under organic management With effect from 24 August 2000, stands at 4% or six million hectares of Council Regulation 1804/99, which the total area farmed. In Ireland the supplemented Regulation 2092/91, sector is growing steadily, yet remains brought organic livestock and relatively underdeveloped with less livestock produce within the ambit of than 1% of the total farming area EU rules. These standards have been now farmed organically. At the end of developed to provide organic 2007 1,121 organic operators were producers with clear rules as to how registered with the Department of organic food should be produced to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and meet consumer demand. the area farmed organically was approximately 40,000 hectares. Regulation 2092/91, which is backed up by Statutory Instruments 112 of What is Organic Farming? 2004 and 698 of 2007, creates a Organic farming is a system of framework defining in detail the farming which avoids the use of requirements for agricultural products soluble fertilizers, pesticides, growth or foodstuffs bearing a reference to regulators, feed additives and other organic production methods. The rules chemicals. The organic farmer relies not only define the methods of on the use of crop rotations, animal production for organic crops and manure, clover, low stocking rates and livestock but also regulate the good animal husbandry for producing labelling, processing, inspection and outputs. The natural immunity of marketing of organic products within plants and animals are used to the European Community and the combat disease whenever possible. importation of organic products from non-member countries. The organic tillage farmer and vegetable grower aim to have a high In Ireland, the Department of level of organic matter and a high Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is the level of biological life in the soil. competent authority for regulating Excellent husbandry, farm the organic sector and ensuring that management and planning skills are the obligations and requirements of required, as quick fix chemical and Regulation 2092/91, as amended, are pharmaceutical solutions are no adhered to. The EU legislation allows longer an option. 2 chapter 1 Introduction to Organic Farming Member States to use private • Ruminant livestock must be fed a inspection bodies to carry out the diet which is at least 60% roughage. inspection and licensing system of Tillage crops should be considered organic operators. Two certification on organic farms as it may be bodies carry out this work in Ireland: cheaper to grow than to buy-in Irish Organic Farmers and Growers concentrates. Cereals also produce Association (IOFGA) and Organic Trust straw for bedding, provide an Ltd. opportunity to re-seed ground to a clover lea and to have clean grazing Farmers considering the organic for young stock. option should read the standards • The highest standards of animal relating to their farming enterprises in welfare are obligatory. Housed detail and discuss the options with an animals must be provided with agricultural adviser. By studying the bedding. Good ventilation and a standards, farmers and growers will generous floor area for each animal be able to see which practices on their are required. farms do or do not meet the organic • Routine preventative treatment of regulations. To avail of the price healthy animals is not allowed. The premiums and financial supports for emphasis is on prevention rather organic produce, a farmer must have than cure, through management his farm certified by one of the techniques. Obviously, sick animals Organic Certification Bodies (OCBs) must be treated, and treatment is and must farm in accordance with also allowed in the case of a known organic standards. Some of the main farm problem e.g., blackleg requirements of these standards are (permission is required in this case). outlined below. Applying the Standards The Standards for Organic Food While the organic standards may and Farming in Ireland appear difficult at first glance, there • A two-year conversion period is are many farms that could change to required before a farm is given organic production without much organic status. difficulty. Mixed farms with suckler • Soluble mineral fertilizers are cows, sheep and some tillage are prohibited, but some fertilizsers are ideally suited to organic farming. permitted, such as lime and rock The most critical element in a phosphate. successful organic farm is the farmer. • Clover and other legumes supply He or she will need excellent livestock nitrogen. The balance between and crop husbandry skills, have good fertility building crops, such as grass, foresight and planning ability, keep clover lea and exploitative crops good records and successfully market such as cereals and potatoes is the farm’s produce. critical in a tillage rotation. • Most manufactured agro-chemicals Getting Information (e.g., herbicides) are prohibited. Information on organic farming is 3 chapter 1 Introduction to Organic Farming obtainable from any of the OCB’s and and Food (DAFF) to provide a licensed your local Teagasc adviser. It is inspection and certification scheme, advisable for farmers to visit organic under Council Regulation (EEC) farms in their area first, to learn from 2092/91, as amended. Farmers, the experience of other farmers and growers and processors must register to see the changes required to with one of the two organic convert to organic farming. Details of associations in order to produce and organic farms to visit can be obtained market a product to organic from the OCBs or the Teagasc organic standards. This is also a requirement advisers. There is a series of organic under the Organic Farming Scheme. demonstration farms walks each summer and short courses in organic 2. Department of Agriculture, farming and growing are provided by Fisheries and Food (DAFF) Teagasc, the Organic Centre in In Ireland the Department of Leitrim, County Wexford Organic Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is the Centre and An tIonad Glas in competent authority for regulating Limerick. the organic sector and ensuring that the obligations and requirements of Relevant Organisations Regulation 2092/91 as amended, are adhered to. The DAFF Organic Unit is 1. Organic Certification Bodies based at Johnstown Castle Estate. Ireland has two Organic Certification Applicants must register as organic Bodies: operators and complete the DAFF • Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Form ORG 1. DAFF also operate the Association (IOFGA); and Organic Farming Scheme and the On • Organic Trust. Farm and Off Farm Schemes of Grant Aid for the Development of the These bodies are approved by the Organic Sector (outlined in Chapter 2). Department of Agriculture, Fisheries 3. Teagasc Details of services provided to organic farmers by Teagasc are outlined in Chapter 13. 4. Producer Support and Marketing Groups There are several groups of producers who aim to promote and support organic farming. Some also market their own produce. Such groups are a valuable support for those involved in, or considering, organic production. (See Chapter 14 for contact details of relevant organisations) 4 chapter 2 Guidelines for Organic Farming The Two-Year The Conversion Plan The conversion plan should be drawn Conversion up in consultation with an agricultural adviser who is familiar with organic One of the specifications of the standards. The plan should include: Standards for Organic Food and • A detailed description of the farm Farming in Ireland is that a two-year and management practices; conversion period is required before a • The changes required to meet the farm is given organic status. In standards; exceptional cases the Organic • An animal health plan; Certification Body may, with the • Livestock housing and feeding approval of the Department of system; Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, • Details of crop and grazing decide to extend or reduce the rotations; conversion period. In all cases at least • Soil analysis results; 12 months of the conversion is subject • Details of soil fertility maintenance to inspection. During the conversion plan; period the rates of payment under • Faecal analysis from 10% of the the Organic Farming Scheme are herd/flock; doubled. This is to take account of • Farm maps plus sketch of buildings, costs associated with converting and the plan, application form, ORG the fact that the produce is not yet 1form, accompanying documents certified for sale with an organic and licensing fee must be submitted symbol. Some of the main changes to the OCB of your choice, and an required when converting to organic inspection of your farm will be farming are as follows: arranged soon afterwards. Following successful inspection, a conversion • Introduce additional clover into the licence is issued. pastures; • Modify existing buildings or add Each year the farm is inspected by an new buildings; inspector from the OCB and a licence • Cease using chemical fertilisers and is granted, provided that the sprays; and standards are adhered to.