A. PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS
B. LIVESTOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
C. HANDLING, STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION, PROCESSING AND PACKAGING
1. The principles set out in this Annex should have been applied on the parcels, farm or farm units during a conversion period of at least two years before sowing, or in the case of perennial crops other than grassland, at least three (3) years before the first harvest of products as referred to in paragraph 1.1(a) of these guidelines. The competent authority, or where delegated, the official or officially recognized certification body or authority may decide in certain cases (such as idle use for two years or more) to extend or reduce that period in the light of previous parcel use but the period must equal or exceed 12 months.
2. Whatever the length of the conversion period it may only begin once a production unit has been placed under an inspection system as required by 6.2 and once the unit has started the implementation of the production rules referred to in Section 4 of these Guidelines.
3. In cases where a whole farm is not converted at one time, it may be done progressively whereby these guidelines are applied from the start of conversion on the relevant fields. Conversion from conventional to organic production should be effected using permitted techniques as defined in these guidelines. In cases where a whole farm is not converted at the same time, the holding must be split into units as referred to in Annex 3, part A, paragraphs 3 and 11.
4. Areas in conversion as well as areas converted to organic production must not be alternated (switched back and forth) between organic and conventional production methods.
5. The fertility and biological activity of the soil should be maintained or increased, where appropriate, by:
a) cultivation of legumes, green manures or deep-rooting plants in an appropriate multi-annual rotation programme;Substances, as specified in Annex 2, Table 1 may be applied only to the extent that adequate nutrition of the crop or soil conditioning are not possible by the methods set out in 5(a) and (b) above or, in the case of manures, they are not available from organic farming.b) incorporation in the soil of organic material, composted or not, from holdings producing in accordance with these guidelines. By-products from livestock farming, such as farmyard manure, may be used if they come from livestock holdings producing in accordance with these guidelines;
c) for compost activation, appropriate micro-organisms or plant-based preparations may be used;6. Pests, diseases and weeds should be controlled by any one, or a combination, of the following measures:d) biodynamic preparations from stone meal, farmyard manure or plants may also be used for the purpose covered by paragraph 5.
- choice of appropriate species and varieties; - appropriate rotation programs; - mechanical cultivation;7. Only in cases of imminent or serious threat to the crop and where the measures identified in 6. (above) are, or would not be effective, recourse may be had to products referred to in Annex 2.- protection of natural enemies of pests through provision of favourable habitat, such as hedges and nesting sites, ecological buffer zones which maintain the original vegetation to house pest predators; - diversified ecosystems. These will vary between geographical locations. For example, buffer zones to counteract erosion, agro-forestry, rotating crops, etc.
- flame weeding;
- natural enemies including release of predators and parasites;
- biodynamic preparations from stone meal, farmyard manure or plants;
- mulching and mowing;
- grazing of animals;
- mechanical controls such as traps, barriers, light and sound;
- steam sterilization when proper rotation of soil renewal cannot take place.
8. Seeds and vegetative reproductive material should be from plants grown in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 of these guidelines for at least one generation or, in the case of perennial crops, two growing seasons. Where an operator can demonstrate to the official or officially recognized certification body or authority that material satisfying the above requirements is not available, the certification body or authority may support:
a) in the first instance, use of untreated seeds or vegetative reproductive material, orThe competent authority may establish criteria to limit the application of the derogation in 8 above.b) if (a) is not available, use of seeds and vegetative reproductive material treated with substances other than those included in Annex 2.
9. The collection of edible plants and parts thereof, growing naturally in natural areas, forests and agricultural areas, is considered an organic production method provided that:
- the products are from a clearly defined collection area that is subject to the inspection/certification measures set out in Section 6 of these guidelines;- those areas have received no treatments with products other than those referred to in Annex 2 for a period of three years before the collection;
- the collection does not disturb the stability of the natural habitat or the maintenance of the species in the collection area;
- the products are from an operator managing the harvesting or gathering of the products, who is clearly identified and familiar with the collection area.
General Principles
Livestock Sources/Origin
Conversion
Nutrition
Health Care
Livestock Husbandry, Transport and Slaughter
Housing and Free-Range Conditions
Manure Management
Record Keeping and Identification
Species Specific Requirements
1. Where livestock for organic production are maintained, they should be an integral part of the organic farm unit and should be raised and held according to these guidelines.
2. Livestock can make an important contribution to an organic farming system by:
a) improving and maintaining the fertility of the soil;3. Livestock production is a land related activity. Herbivores must have access to pasture and all other animals must have access to open-air runs; the competent authority may allow exceptions when the animals’ physiological state, inclement weather conditions, and state of the land so permit, or the structure of certain ´traditional´ farming systems restrict access to pasture, providing the welfare of the animals can be guaranteed.b) managing the flora through grazing;
c) enhancing biodiversity and facilitating complementary interactions on the farm; and d) increasing the diversity of the farming system.
4. Stocking rates for livestock should be appropriate for the region in question taking into consideration feed production capacity, stock health, nutrient balance, and environmental impact.
5. Organic livestock management should aim to utilize natural breeding methods, minimize stress, prevent disease, progressively eliminate the use of chemical allopathic veterinary drugs (including antibiotics), reduce the feeding of animals with products of animal origin (e.g. meat meal), and maintain animal health and welfare.
6. The choice of breeds, strains and breeding methods shall be consistent with the principles of organic farming, taking into account in particular:
a) their adaptation to the local conditions;7. Livestock used for products satisfying Section 1.1 (a) of these guidelines must come, from birth or hatching, from production units complying with these guidelines, or have been the offspring of parents raised under the conditions set down in these guidelines. They must be raised under this system throughout their life.b) their vitality and resistance to disease;
c) the absence of specific diseases or health problems associated with some breeds and strains (porcine stress syndrome, spontaneous abortion etc).
- Livestock may not be transferred between organic and non-organic units. The competent authority can establish detailed rules for the purchase of livestock from other units complying with these Guidelines.8. When an operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the official or officially recognized inspection/certification body that livestock satisfying the requirements indicated in the previous paragraph are not available, the official or officially recognized inspection/ certification body may allow livestock not raised according these guidelines under circumstances such as:- Livestock existing on the livestock production unit, but not complying with these Guidelines, may be converted.
a) for considerable expansion of the farm, when a breed is changed or when new livestock specialization is developed;The competent authority may set the specific conditions under which livestock from non-organic sources may be allowed or not allowed, taking into account that animals be brought in as young as possible as soon as they are weaned.b) for the renewal of a herd, e.g., high mortality of animals caused by catastrophic circumstances;
c) males for breeding.
9. These livestock qualified by the derogations indicated in the previous paragraph must comply with the conditions set out in paragraph 12. These conversion periods must be observed if the products are to be sold as organic according to Section 3 of these guidelines.
10. The conversion of the land intended for feeding crops or pasture must comply with the rules set out in Part A paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of this Annex.
11. The competent authority may reduce the conversion periods or conditions established in paragraph 10 (for the land) and/or paragraph 12 (for livestock and livestock products) in the following cases:
a) pasture, open-air runs and exercise areas used by non-herbivore species;12. Once the land has reached organic status and livestock from a nonorganic source is introduced, and if the products are to be sold as organic, such livestock must be reared according to these Guidelines for at least the following compliance periods:b) for bovine, equine, ovine and caprine coming from extensive husbandry during an implementation period established by the competent authority or dairy herds converted for the first time;
c) if there is simultaneous conversion of livestock and land used only for feeding within the same unit, the conversion period for both livestock, pasture and/or land used for animal feed, may be reduced to two years only in the case where the existing livestock and their offspring are fed mainly with products from the unit.
Bovine and equine
Meat products: 12 months and at least ¾ of their life span in the organic management system;
Calves for meat production: 6 months when brought in as soon as they are weaned and less than 6 months old;
Milk products: 90 days during the implementation period established by the competent authority, after that, six months.
Ovine and caprine Meat products: six months;
Milk products: 90 days during the implementation period established by the competent authority, after that, six months.
Porcine:
Meat products: Six months.
Poultry/laying hens
Meat products: whole of life span as determined by the competent authority;
Eggs: six weeks.
13. All livestock systems should provide the optimum level of 100% of the diet from feedstuffs (including 'in conversion' feedstuffs) produced to the requirements of these guidelines.
14. For an implementation period to be set by the competent authority, livestock products will maintain their organic status providing feed, consisting of at least 85% for ruminants and 80% for non-ruminants and calculated on a dry matter basis, is from organic sources produced in compliance with these Guidelines.
15. Not withstanding the above, where an operator can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the official or officially recognized inspection/certification body that feedstuffs satisfying the requirement outlined in paragraph 13 above are not available, as a result of, for example, unforeseen severe natural or manmade events or extreme climatic weather conditions, the inspection/certification body may allow a restricted percentage of feedstuffs not produced according to these guidelines to be fed for a limited time, providing it does not contain genetically engineered/modified organisms or products thereof. The competent authority shall set both the maximum percentage of non-organic feed allowed and any conditions relating to this derogation.
16. Specific livestock rations should take into account:
- the need of young mammals for natural, preferably maternal, milk; \17. All livestock must have ample access to fresh water to maintain the full health and vigour of the livestock.- that a substantial proportion of dry matter in the daily rations of herbivores needs to consist of roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage;
- that polygastric animals should be not fed silage exclusively;
- the need for cereals in the fattening phase of poultry; - the need for roughage, fresh or dried fodder or silage in the daily ration for pigs and poultry.
18. If substances are used as feedstuffs, nutritional elements, feed additives or processing aids in the preparation of feedstuffs, the competent authority shall establish a positive list/s of substances in compliance with the following criteria:
General Criteria:
a) substances are permitted according to national legislation on animal feeding;
b) substances are necessary/essential to maintain animal health, animal welfare and vitality; and
c) such substances:
- contribute to an appropriate diet fulfilling the physiological and behavioural needs of the species concerned; andSpecific Criteria for Feedstuffs and Nutritional Elements:- do not contain genetically engineered/modified organisms and products thereof; and
- are primarily of plant, mineral or animal origin.
a) feedstuffs of plant origin from non-organic sources can only be used, under the conditions of paragraphs 14 and 15, if they are produced or prepared without the use of chemical solvents or chemical treatment;Specific Criteria for Additives and Processing Aids:b) feedstuffs of mineral origin, trace elements, vitamins, or provitamins can only be used if they are of natural origin. In case of shortage of these substances, or in exceptional circumstances, chemically well-defined analogic substances may be used;
c) feedstuffs of animal origin, with the exception of milk and milk products, fish, other marine animals and products derived therefrom should generally not be used or, as provided by national legislation. In any case, the feeding of mammalian material to ruminants is not permitted with the exception of milk and milk products;
d) synthetic nitrogen or non-protein nitrogen compounds shall not be used.
a) binders, anti-caking agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, surfactants, coagulants: only natural sources are allowed;19. Silage additives and processing aids may not be derived from genetically engineered/modified organisms or products thereof, and may be comprised of only:b) antioxidants: only natural sources are allowed;
c) preservatives: only natural acids are allowed;
d) colouring agents (including pigments), flavours and appetite stimulants: only natural sources are allowed;
e) probiotics, enzymes and microorganisms are allowed;
f) antibiotics, coccidiostatics, medicinal substances, growth promoters or any other substance intended to stimulate growth or production shall not be used in animal feeding.
- sea salt;
- coarse rock salt;
- yeasts;
- enzymes;
- whey;
- sugar; or sugar products such as molasses;
- honey;
- lactic, acetic, formic and propionic bacteria, or their natural acid product when the weather conditions do not allow for adequate fermentation, and with approval of the competent authority.
20. Disease prevention in organic livestock production shall be based on the following principles:
a) the choice of appropriate breeds or strains of animals as detailed in paragraph 6 above;21. If, despite the above preventative measures, an animal becomes sick or injured it must be treated immediately, if necessary in isolation and in suitable housing. Producers should not withhold medication where it will result in unnecessary suffering of the livestock, even if the use of such medication will cause the animal to lose its organic status.b) the application of animal husbandry practices appropriate to the requirements of each species, encouraging strong resistance to disease and the prevention of infections;
c) the use of good quality organic feed, together with regular exercise and access to pasture and/or open-air runs, having the effect of encouraging the natural immunological defence of the animal;
d) ensuring an appropriate density of livestock, thus avoiding overstocking and any resulting animal health problems.
22. The use of veterinary medicinal products in organic farming shall comply with the following principles:
a) where specific disease or health problems occur, or may occur, and no alternative permitted treatment or management practice exists, or, in cases required by law, vaccination of livestock, the use of parasiticides, or therapeutic use of veterinary drugs are permitted;23. Hormonal treatment may only be used for therapeutic reasons and under veterinary supervision.b) phytotherapeutic (excluding antibiotics), homeopathic or ayurvedic products and trace elements shall be used in preference to chemical allopathic veterinary drugs or antibiotics, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the species of animal and the condition for which the treatment is intended;
c) if the use of the above products is unlikely to be effective in combating illness or injury, chemical allopathic veterinary drugs or antibiotics may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian; withholding periods should be the double of that required by legislation with, in any case, a minimum of 48 hours;
d) the use of chemical allopathic veterinary drugs or antibiotics for preventative treatments is prohibited.
24. Growth stimulants or substances used for the purpose of stimulating growth or production are not permitted.
25. Maintenance of livestock should be guided by an attitude of care, responsibility and respect for living creatures.
26. Breeding methods should be in compliance with the principles of organic farming taking into account:
a) the breeds and strains suitable for raising under local conditions and under an organic system;27. Operations such as attaching elastic bands to the tails of sheep, tail-docking, cutting of teeth, trimming of beaks and dehorning are generally not allowed in the organic management system. Some of these operations may, however, be authorized in exceptional circumstances by the competent authority or its delegate, for reasons of safety (e.g. dehorning in young animals) or if they are intended to improve the health and welfare of the livestock. Such operations must be carried out at the most appropriate age and any suffering to the animals must be reduced to a minimum. Anaesthetic should be used where appropriate. Physical castration is allowed in order to maintain the quality of products and traditional production practices (meat-type pigs, bullocks, capons, etc) but only under these conditions.
b) the preference for reproduction through natural methods, although artificial insemination may be used;
c) that embryo transfer techniques and the use of hormonal reproductive treatment shall not be used;
d) that breeding techniques employing genetic engineering must not be used.
28. The living conditions and the management of the environment should take into account the specific behavioural needs of the livestock and provide for:
- sufficient free movement and opportunity to express normal patterns of behaviour;29. The transport of living stock should be managed in a calm and gentle way and in a manner which avoids stress, injury and suffering: the competent authority should establish specific conditions in order to meet these objectives and may establish maximum transport periods. In transporting livestock, the use of electric stimulation or allopathic tranquilizers is not permitted.- company of other animals, particularly of like kind;
- the prevention of abnormal behaviour, injury and disease;
- arrangements to cover emergencies such as the outbreaks of fire, the breakdown of essential mechanical services and the disruption of supplies.
30. The slaughter of livestock should be undertaken in a manner which minimizes stress and suffering, and in accordance with national rules.
31. Housing for livestock will not be mandatory in areas with appropriate climatic conditions to enable animals to live outdoors.
32. Housing conditions should meet the biological and behavioural needs of the livestock by providing:
- easy access to feeding and watering;34. The stocking density in buildings should:- insulation, heating, cooling and ventilation of the building to ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration are kept within limits which are not harmful to the livestock;
- plentiful natural ventilation and light to enter; 33. Livestock may be temporarily confined during periods of inclement weather, when their health, safety or well being could be jeopardized, or to protect plant, soil and water quality.
- provide for the comfort and well being of the livestock having regard for the species, the breed and the age of the livestock;35. Housing, pens, equipment and utensils should be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross infection and the build-up of disease carrying organisms.- take into account the behavioural needs of the livestock with respect to the size of the group and the sex of the livestock;
- provide them with sufficient space to stand naturally, lie down easily, turn round, groom themselves, and assume all natural postures and movements such as stretching and wing flapping.
36. Free-range, open-air exercise areas, or open-air runs should, if necessary, provide sufficient protection against rain, wind, sun and extreme temperatures, depending on the local weather conditions and the breed concerned.
37. The outdoor stocking density of livestock kept on pasture, grassland, or other natural or semi-natural habitats, must be low enough to prevent degradation of the soil and over-grazing of vegetation.
Mammals
38. All mammals must have access to pasture or an open-air exercise area or run which may be partially covered, and they must be able to use those areas whenever the physiological condition of the animal, the weather conditions and the state of the ground permit.
39. The competent authority may grant exceptions for :
- the access of bulls to pasture or, in case of cows to an open-air exercise area or run during the winter period;40. Livestock housing must have smooth, but not slippery floors. The floor must not be entirely of slatted or grid construction.- the final fattening phase.
41. The housing must be provided with a comfortable, clean and dry laying/rest area of sufficient size, consisting of a solid construction. Ample dry bedding strewn with litter material must be provided in the rest area.
42. The housing of calves in individual boxes and the tethering of livestock are not permitted without the approval of the competent authority.
43. Sows must be kept in groups, except in the last stages of pregnancy and during the suckling period. Piglets may not be kept on flat decks or in piglet cages. Exercise areas must permit dunging and rooting by the animals.
44. The keeping of rabbits in cages is not permitted.
Poultry
45. Poultry must be reared in open-range conditions and have free access to open-air run whenever the weather conditions permit. The keeping of poultry in cages is not permitted.
46. Water fowl must have access to a stream, pond or lake whenever the weather conditions permit.
47. Housing for all poultry should provide an area of solid construction covered with litter material such as straw, wood shavings, sand or turf. A sufficiently large part of the floor area must be available to laying hens for the collection of droppings, Perches/higher sleeping areas of a size and number commensurate with the species and size of the group and of the birds and exit/entry holes of an adequate size must be provided.
48. In the case of laying hens, when natural day length is prolonged by artificial light, the competent authority shall prescribe maximum hours respective to species, geographical considerations and general health of the animals.
49. For health reasons, between each batch of poultry reared buildings should be emptied, and runs left empty to allow the vegetation to grow back.
50. Manure management practices used to maintain any area in which livestock are housed, penned or pastured should be implemented in a manner that:
a) minimizes soil and water degradation;51. All manure storage and handling facilities, including composting facilities should be designed, constructed and operated to prevent contamination of ground and/or surface water.
b) does not significantly contribute to contamination of water by nitrates and pathogenic bacteria;
c) optimizes recycling of nutrients; and
d) does not include burning or any practice inconsistent with organic practices.
52. Manure application rates should be at levels that do not contribute to ground and/or surface water contamination. The competent authority may establish maximum application rates for manure or stocking densities. The timing of application and application methods should not increase the potential for run-off into ponds, rivers and streams.
53. The operator should maintain detailed and up-to-date records as set out in Annex 3, paras 7 - 15.
Beekeeping and Bee Products
General Principles
54. Bee keeping is an important activity that contributes to the enhancement of the environment, agriculture and forestry production through the pollination action of bees.
55. The treatment and management of hives should respect the principles of organic farming.
56. Collection areas must be large enough to provide adequate and sufficient nutrition and access to water.
57. The sources of natural nectar, honeydew and pollen shall consist essentially of organically produced plants and/or spontaneous (wild) vegetation.
58. The health of bees should be based on prevention such as adequate selection of breeds, favourable environment, balanced diet and appropriate husbandry practices.
59. The hives shall consist basically of natural materials presenting no risk of contamination to the environment or the bee products.
60. When bees are placed in wild areas, consideration should be given to the indigenous insect population.
Siting of hives
61. Hives for beekeeping shall be placed in areas where cultivated and/or spontaneous vegetation comply with the rules of production as set out in Section 4 of these Guidelines.
62. The official certification body or authority shall approve the areas which ensure appropriate sources of honeydew, nectar and pollen based on information provided by the operators and/or through the process of inspection.
63. The official certification body or authority may designate a specific radius from the hive within which the bees have access to adequate and sufficient nutrition that meets the requirements of these Guidelines.
64. The certification body or authority must identify zones where hives, that meet these requirements, should not be placed due to potential sources of contamination with prohibited substances, genetically modified organisms or environmental contaminants.
Feed
65. At the end of the production season hives must be left with reserves of honey and pollen sufficiently abundant for the colony to survive the dormancy period.
66. The feeding of colonies can be undertaken to overcome temporary feed shortages due to climatic or other exceptional circumstances. In such cases, organically produced honey or sugars should be used if available. However the certification body or authority may permit the use of non-organically produced honey or sugars. Time-limits should be set for such derogations. Feeding should be carried out only between the last honey harvest and the start of the next nectar or honeydew flow period.
Conversion Period
67. Bee products can be sold as organically produced when these Guidelines have been complied with for at least one year. During the conversion period the wax must be replaced by organically produced wax. In cases where all the wax cannot be replaced during a one-year period, the certification body or authority may extend the conversion period. By way of derogation when organically produced beeswax is not available, wax from sources not complying with these Guidelines may be authorized by the certification body or authority, provided it comes from the cap or from areas where no prohibited materials have been used.
68. Where no prohibited products have been previously used in the hive, replacement of wax is not necessary.
Origin of bees
69. Bee colonies can be converted to organic production. Introduced bees should come from organic production units when available.
70. In the choice of breeds, account must be taken of the capacity of bees to adapt to local conditions, their vitality and their resistance to disease.
Health of the bees
71. The health of bee colonies should be maintained by good agricultural practice, with emphasis on disease prevention through breed selection and hive management. This includes: a) the use of hardy breeds that adapt well to the local conditions; b) renewal of queen bees if necessary; c) regular cleaning and disinfecting of equipment; d) regular renewal of beeswax; e) availability in hives of sufficient pollen and honey; f) systematic inspection of hives to detect any anomalies; g) systematic control of male broods in the hive; h) moving diseased hives to isolated areas, if necessary; or i) destruction of contaminated hives and materials.
72. For pest and disease control the following are allowed:
- lactic, oxalic, acetic acid73. Where preventative measures fail, veterinary medicinal products may be used provided that:
- formic acid - sulphur
- natural etheric oils (e.g. menthol, eucalyptol, camphor)
- Bacillus thuringiensis
- steam and direct flame.
a) preference is given to phytotherapeutic and homeopathic treatment, and74. The practice of destroying the male brood is permitted only to contain infestation with Varroa jacobsoni.b) if allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products are used, the bee products must not be sold as organic. Treated hives must be placed in isolation and undergo a conversion period of one year. All the wax must be replaced with wax which is in accordance with these Guidelines, and
c) every veterinary treatment must be clearly documented.
Management
75. The foundation comb shall be made from organically produced wax.
76. The destruction of bees in the combs as a method of harvesting of bee products is prohibited.
77. Mutilations, such as clipping of the wings of queen bees, are prohibited.
78. The use of chemical synthetic repellents is prohibited during honey extraction operations.
79. Smoking should be kept to a minimum. Acceptable smoking materials should be natural or from materials that meet the requirements of these Guidelines.
80. It is recommended that temperatures are maintained as low as possible during the extraction and processing of products derived from beekeeping.
Record Keeping
81. The operator should maintain detailed and up-to-date records as set out in Annex 3, paragraph 7. Maps should be maintained depicting the location of all hives.
Pest Management
Processing and Manufacturing
Packaging
Storage and Transport
82. The integrity of the organic product must be maintained throughout the processing phase. This is achieved by the use of techniques appropriate to the specifics of the ingredients with careful processing methods limiting refining and the use of additives and processing aids. Ionizing radiation should not be used on organic products for the purpose of pest control, food preservation, elimination of pathogens or sanitation.
83. For pest management and control the following measures, in order of preference, should be used:
a) Preventative methods, such as disruption and elimination of habitat and access to facilities by pest organisms, should be the primary methodology of pest management;84. Pests should be avoided by good manufacturing practice. Pest control measures within storage areas or transport containers may include physical barriers or other treatments such as sound, ultra-sound, light, ultra-violet light, traps (pheromone traps and static bait traps) controlled temperature, controlled atmosphere (carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen), and diatomaceous earth.b) If preventative methods are inadequate, the first choice for pest control should be mechanical/physical and biological methods;
c) If mechanical/physical and biological methods are inadequate for pest control, pesticidal substances appearing in Annex 2 table 2 (or other substances allowed for use by a competent authority in accordance with Section 5.2) may be used provided that they are accepted for use in handling, storage, transportation or processing facilities by the competent authority and so that contact with organic products is prevented.
85. Use of pesticides not listed in Annex 2 for post harvest or quarantine purposes should not be permitted on products prepared in accordance with these guidelines and would cause organically produced foods to lose their organic status.
86. Processing methods should be mechanical, physical or biological (such as fermentation and smoking) and minimize the use of non-agricultural ingredients and additives as listed in Annex 2, Tables 3 and 4.
87. Packaging materials should preferably be chosen from bio-degradable, recycled or recyclable sources.
88. Product integrity should be maintained during any storage and transportation and handling by use of the following precautions:
a) Organic products must be protected at all times from co-mingling with non-organic products; and89. Where only part of the unit is certified, other product not covered by these guidelines should be stored and handled separately and both types of products should be clearly identified.
b) Organic products must be protected at all times from contact with materials and substances not permitted for use in organic farming and handling.
90. Bulk stores for organic product should be separate from conventional product stores and clearly labelled to that effect.
91. Storage areas and transport containers for organic product should be cleaned using methods and materials permitted in organic production. Measures should be taken to prevent possible contamination from any pesticide or other treatment not listed in Annex 2 before using a storage area or container that is not dedicated solely to organic products.
