Organic production
Organic production can be pursued in multi- or single-storey systems for free-range hens. In addition, the hens have access to the outdoors in summertime and during at least a third of their life. The hens are fed with organic feed (95% organic ingredients) and they have a lower animal occupation rate. <br />The hens have access to roughage all year round and at least 20% of the feed shall come from the farm or in cooperation with farms and feed operators in the area.<br />
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| Download | Description | |||
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| Production form - organic production | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Organic production provides opportunities for the hens to move freely, which is beneficial for bone and leg strength, and it also provides good opportunities for the hens to scratch and express other natural behaviour. They receive organic feed and the animal occupation rate is lower in organic production. Criterion text [Define the products being referred to] must fulfil the criteria laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliment and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products. | ||||
| Organic product - addition for chicken and eggs | Advanced | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Organic production aims to use natural resources such as energy, land and water in a sustainable manner. Organic farming shall respect nature’s ecosystems and natural cycles and aim to maintain and improve the quality of soil, water, plant vitality and animal health. Criterion text Raw materials from chickens, hens and eggs shall be produced in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products. The products shall also fulfil the following requirements:
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| Information about origin - non-compound products | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Information about origin can be enlightening for contracting authorities, e.g. which environmental laws applied to the production. Traceability is a prerequisite for being able to track any product defects and ensuring that the product meets the correct quality requirements. Criterion text For non-compound products made of a single raw material, un-mixed or mixed with flavourings, additives or equivalent, written information must be provided upon request:
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| Information about origin compound products - milk and eggs | Advanced | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Information on the origin of milk and eggs can be an informative aspect for procuring authorities with regard to the product, e.g., what environmental and animal protection laws that applied during the production. Criterion text For compound products with an egg and/or milk content above 20%, written information must be made available on request, specifying the country in which the raw material was produced and refined. | ||||
| Antibiotics | Advanced | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information A high use of antibiotics risks increasing antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics constitute a growing international public health problem. The development of resistance is associated with the overuse of antibiotics and it is therefore important that antibiotics are not used for preventive purposes in livestock production. Criterion text Antibiotics must only be used when prescribed by a veterinarian and when doing so is medically justified. Documented routines for antibiotics use must exist at production level and be available on request. | ||||
| More sustainably produced soy in animal feed | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information The cultivation of soy can entail large environmental risks due to the high use of pesticides, soil erosion, along with the risk for land use change and deforestation in species-rich forest and grassland areas. Contracting organisations can specify requirements that improve the prerequisites for a transition to a more sustainable production of soy. Criterion text Animal-based foods shall come from animals where the soy1, if included in the feed, is produced in such a way that, at a minimum, it covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability of the soy can be shown through a segregated supply chain (Identity Preserved or Segregated), or through the principle of mass balance, or through the principle for credits (Credits/Book and Claim). | ||||
| No synthetic colouring in feed | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Synthetic colouring, e.g. canthaxanthin (so-called R-phrases), used in feed for laying hens give the egg a brightly coloured yolk but do not improve the quality of the feed for the animal. Synthetic colouring can increase the risk of developing allergies in children. Criterion text Egg products must come from laying hens that have not received feed containing synthetic colouring. | ||||
| No beak trimming of laying hens | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Beak trimming of laying hens is implemented in many countries. This means that a portion of the upper and the lower mandible is burned or radiated away with infrared light when the chicken is 1-2 days old. Criterion text Egg products must come from animals whose beak has not modified during breeding, such as through trimming. This requirement also applies to the parent generation. | ||||
| Health reporting system | Spearhead | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Healthy animals are an important aspect of animal welfare. Moreover, it is an important aspect for climate impact as healthy animals also produce more efficiently. A low mortality rate in production is a significant indicator. Criterion text Eggs must come from a producer that works in accordance with a health reporting system with health parameters for animal welfare. Parameters are to be monitored in a systematic way, causes must be analysed, deviations must be documented and result in appropriate action in consultation with a veterinarian or production advisor to remedy the problems. The health reporting system must at least include the following:
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Organic production can be pursued in multi- or single-storey systems for free-range hens. In addition, the hens have access to the outdoors in summertime and during at least a third of their life. The hens are fed with organic feed (95% organic ingredients) and they have a lower animal occupation rate.
The hens have access to roughage all year round and at least 20% of the feed shall come from the farm or in cooperation with farms and feed operators in the area.
Whole eggs and compound products with an egg content exceeding 20%.
- Whole fresh shell eggs, e.g., eggs in cartons sized S, M, L and XL.
- Cooked peeled eggs, e.g., vacuum-packed.
- Liquid egg products, e.g., egg yolk, egg white, whole eggs and scrambled eggs.
- Semi-finished products, e.g., pancakes.
- Egg powder.