Status Of Organic Birds Confined Indoors To Comply With Veterinary Requirements Introduced In Response To A Threat Of Avian Influenza, UK

Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Veterinary
Article Date: 25 Feb 2006 - 9:00 PDT

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The UK Administrations recognise there is concern that the possible introduction of veterinary requirements to confine poultry indoors in response to the threat of, or an outbreak of, avian influenza could result in flocks, and thus eggs and poultry, losing their organic status.

In common with several other EU Member States the UK takes the view that the organic status of poultry flocks would not be affected as a result of measures which operators were required to take under the law to restrict access to open-air runs as a precaution against avian influenza so long as all other requirements of the Compendium of UK Organic Standards continued to be met.

The position will be reviewed in light of discussions at EU level and any change in the position will be conveyed through a further information notice.

Copies of organic standards can be found on:
defra.gov.uk/farm/organic.

Many organic flocks will also have free-range status. In these cases, under arrangements previously announced, in the event of a requirement to house the flock for veterinary reasons, poultry products will retain their free-range status for up to 12 weeks.

General guidance on Preparing for Avian Influenza - Separating Flocks From Wild Birds can be found in the Defra leaflet of that name (PB11504) at defra,gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/pdf/separating.pdf

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

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