Organics - Circular 3 of 2020 - Avian Influenza

22 December 2020

To Organic Poultry Operators

Avian Influenza — Implications of Continued Housing Requirement for Organic Poultry and Egg Producers

Restrictions were imposed on 21 December 2020 requiring the housing of all poultry as part of the response to the threat of avian flu.

For organic poultry producers, product can still be classified and sold as organic under these housing restrictions provided that steps are taken to provide for the 'ethological' needs of the poultry (i.e. to facilitate natural behaviour while housed).

In this respect Article 14.7 of EU Regulation 889/2008 provides as follows:

If producers wish to continue to market their product as 'organic' they must ensure that the provisions of this regulation are met in full. By way of illustration, 'sufficient roughage' would be provided by approximately one standard small square bale of straw per 100 birds. The bales should be suspended (using a hay-net for example) for the birds to rummage and peck at, and this will help keep the birds occupied and discourage behaviour such as pecking at companions or, in the case of laying hens, breaking and eating their eggs. Equivalent quantities of loose straw or hay may also be used, again provided this is held securely in a hay-net and suspended. This approach is suggested by way of example and does not preclude other approaches, but in every case sufficient roughage and other material must be provided to facilitate natural behaviour amongst the birds. Behaviour should be monitored daily to ensure that the birds are not distressed while the housing restriction continues, and to ensure that adequate levels of roughage are maintained.

Bridgeena Nolan/ Seamus Barron

Principal Officer/ Agricultural Inspector

Organic Unit AES Division

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine