Decreto 206:2001_National_program_of_organic_production.pdf (394.03 KB)
Chapter VII of this decreto regulates animal production. Article 13. Reads: “Organic livestock should develop a harmonious relationship between land, plants and livestock, and respect the physiological and behavioral needs of animals. This, through a combination of measures to provide good quality fodder produced organically, maintaining appropriate stock densities, applying livestock systems appropriate to behavioral needs and adopting livestock management practices that minimize stress and seek to promote the health and welfare of animals, preventing diseases and avoiding the use of chemical veterinary drugs.”
Organic animal products have to be obtained in in accordance to animal welfare guidelines. For instance, animals must be provided enough space to move freely, sufficient fresh air and natural daylight, an area spacious enough to rest; broad access to running water and food according to the needs of the animals. This Decreto also recommends that when the condition of the livestock requires it, a bed of natural material must be provided when it the animals are housed. Article. 15 requires that animals develop in a healthy environment to avoid negative effects on the final animal based product. To accomplish this, the use of construction materials with potential toxic effects have to be avoided as much as possible.
In organic animal production herds must have access to open air and to herding, if it is appropriate. All mammals should have free access to direct grazing and exercise areas or outdoor spaces that may be partially covered, taking into account the physiological conditions of the animals, the atmospheric conditions and the state of the soil, which should not suffer any type of damage. The fattening of cattle to feedlot is not allowed in organic production. Animals have to be treated according to welfare and animal protection norms during loading, unloading, transport, enclosing and slaughter.
This program advises to use alternative practices to mutilations such as tail-docking, debeaking, tooth and wing trimming. It specifically states that this practices are not recommended as a concurrent practice.