United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS)

“Chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products” means antibiotics, antiparasitic drugs, hormones and mediators, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, drugs which affect the nervous system (eg sedatives and anaesthetics) and drugs with a specific effect on target organs ( eg bronchiodilators and spasmolytics).

“Allopathic veterinary medicinal products” means chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products, vitamin preparations, mineral and glucose solutions, herbal extracts and phytotherapeutic remedies.

“ Immunological preparations” means vaccines and antisera.

Disease prevention in organic livestock production shall be based on the following principles:

(a) the selection of appropriate breeds or strains of animals as detailed in Section 3;

(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 high quality feed, together with regular exercise and access to pasturage, 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.

The use of veterinary medicinal products in organic farming shall comply with the following principles:

(a) Phytotherapeutic (e.g. plant extracts (excluding antibiotics), essences, etc.), homoeopathic products (e.g. plant, animal or mineral substances) and trace elements and products listed in Part C, section 3 of Chapter II, shall be used in preference to chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the species of animal, and the condition for which the treatment is intended;

(b) If the use of the above products should not prove, or is unlikely to be, effective in combating illness or injury, and treatment is essential to avoid suffering or distress to the animal, chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics may be used under the responsibility of a veterinary surgeon;

(c) The use of chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics for preventive treatments is prohibited. Where due to an identified disease risk the welfare of animals cannot be maintained by management practices alone, the inspection body may permit the strategic use of a chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicine, other than an antibiotic, in the context of the health plan referred to in paragraph 5.1.2. Vaccination is permitted in cases where there is a known disease risk. Single, two in one or four in one vaccines are preferred to more complex multiple vaccines unless such cover is specifically required. Vaccine choice and use should be agreed with the nominated veterinary surgeon to ensure adequate disease protection during the conversion phase with, where possible, progressive reductions in use as the organic unit becomes established.

In addition to the above principles, the following rules shall apply:

(a) the use of substances to promote growth or production, (including antibiotics, coccidiostats and other artificial aids for growth promotion purposes) and the use of hormones or similar substances to control reproduction (e.g. induction or synchronisation of oestrus), or for other purposes, is prohibited. Nevertheless, hormones may be administered to an individual animal, as a form of therapeutic veterinary treatment;

(b) veterinary treatments to animals, or treatments to buildings, equipment and facilities, which are compulsory under national or Community legislation shall be authorised, including the use of immunological veterinary medicinal products when a disease has been recognised as present in a specific area in which the production unit is located;

(c) animal treatment products involving the use of organophosphates, are not permitted. If any of these compounds are used in compliance with statutory requirements, then the animals must be permanently marked at the time of treatment. Such animals must not be used for organic meat production. For livestock products, any animals so treated must be subject to the relevant conversion period specified in Section 2, before these products can be subsequently marketed as organic, subject to the agreement of the inspection authority or body.

The withdrawal period between the last administration of a allopathic veterinary medicinal product to an animal under normal conditions of use, and the production of organically produced foodstuffs from such animals, is to be twice the legal withdrawal period, or in a case in which this period is not specified, or is given as zero, 48 hours. In the case of a chemically synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products used in a manner other than that specified in the Marketing Authorisation, the withdrawal period is:

- 7 days in the case of eggs or milk;

- 28 days for meat from poultry or mammals (including fat and offal).

With the exception of vaccinations, treatments for parasites and any compulsory eradication schemes established by Member States, where an animal or group of animals receives more than three courses of treatment with chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics within one year (or more than one course of treatment if their productive lifecycle is less than 1 year) the livestock concerned, or produce derived from them, may not be sold as being products produced in accordance with these standards, and the livestock must undergo the conversion periods laid down in Section 2 of this Chapter, subject to the agreement of the inspection authority or body.

For the purposes of the above paragraph a course of treatment shall mean all necessary measures taken to restore the animal to health following a particular disease episode.