Invitation to comment on Draft Amendment for Poultry Requirements (Module 5: Livestock Production)

We have recently developed an amendment to the poultry requirements in Module 5: Livestock Production Standard (Module 5: Livestock production). This contains the production requirements and audit criteria for the certification and licensing of producers of organic livestock and livestock products including cattle, sheep, diary animals and poultry.

Until 7 January 2013, we’re inviting the public to comment on its recommendations, requirements and arrangement.

This amendment was prepared to provide more guidance and clarification to areas where the organic standard was deficient and to address changes in poultry rearing practices and technologies.  In developing the amendments, the Committee considered allowed practices in private organic standards, IFOAM standards, MAF OOAP and overseas organic standards and regulations, and Codes of animal welfare.

Specifically, the amendment provides:
 

1)     More guidance for housing and poultry runs including

a.     stocking rates for laying hens in hen houses,

b.    stocking rates for meat hens in hen houses,

c.     access to, and requirements of poultry runs

d.    general requirements for hen houses.
 

2)     An approval process for older laying hens to be brought in.

The draft amendment was developed by BioGro’s Livestock and Dairy Technical Committee which includes representatives from the industry, BioGro certification staff and auditors.

BioGro's Draft Amendment for Poultry requirements (Module 5: Livestock Production)

To help us compile everyone’s comments, please complete the template below:

Comment on Draft Amendment

Email your comments by 7 January 2013 to: hannahg@biogro.co.nz

Please provide supporting reasons and suggested wording for each comment. If you’d like to submit figures or supporting documentation in addition to your comments, refer to the document(s) in the comments column and attach these with your submission.