Aims and Principles of Organic Poultry Production

According to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, organic agriculture is  

The whole organic process involves four stages (i) application of organic principles (standards and regulations) (ii) adherence to local 

Nearly all synthetic animal drugs used to control parasites, prevent disease, promote growth or act as feed additives in amounts above those needed 

The aim of organic standards is to ensure that animals produced and sold as organic are raised and marketed according to defined principles. Standards and state regulations in conjunction with accreditation and certification are therefore very important as guarantees for the consumer. 

IFOAM Basic Standards were adopted in 1998 and are currently under review. The review will define terms such as organic and sustainable. Within the Codex, the Organic Guidelines include Organic Livestock Production. 

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It is clear that the idealism set out initially in the principles of organic agriculture has had to be tempered by practical considerations. The standards adopted have to aim for a balance between the desire of consumers for organic products and considerations of ethical and ecological integrity and the practical and financial needs of producers. As a result, synthetic vitamins are now allowed in organic poultry feeds, with some restrictions. 

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