Organic Guidelines for LiveStock Brochure

OCA – 017 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by : Sandeep Bhargava Page 1 of 7 Your One Stop for Organic Certification in the World Market of Organic Food How to get yourself Organic Certified as per International Standards (NPOP, NOP & EU-834/2007) Guidelines for Organic Certification of Livestock OneCert = Value Disclaimer: These Guidelines are made for developing basic understanding only, Can not be used or referred as standard reference. For the standard reference please refer to applicable standards. OneCert Asia Agri Certification (P) Ltd. H-08, Mansarovar Industrial Area, Mansarovar, Jaipur – 30 20 20, Rajasthan, India Phone No. +91 141 6541882 & Fax No: +91 141 2395481 E-mail: info@onecertasia.in; Website: www.onecertasia.in OCA – 017 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by : Sandeep Bhargava Page 2 of 7 OneCert is a nationally and internationally operating Organic Certification agency accredited by APEDA under National Program for Organic Production (NPOP-India). OneCert Asia is a branch of OneCert Inc; USA .OneCert was formed to provide understandable, affordable and efficient certification by certifying simultaneously to the India-NPOP, US-NOP, European Union-EU 834/2007 in one certification fees. This ensures adherence to the highest possible standards as well as providing the clients with certification for all the major world market of Organic produce. The name OneCert and logo are recognized internationally as a symbol of high integrity and quality. OneCert Certification team has experience and expertise in food handling, processing, transportation and distribution. OneCert ensures all the support, within the permitted limits, to its customer. What is Organic Certification? Organic Certification is procedure for verifying that products conform to certain standards. In case of Organic Products, it is primarily the acknowledgement that the Livestock products have been produced in accordance with the applicable Organic Livestock production standards. Why Organic Certification? 1. Organic certification helps in building trust between consumers and Organic farmers. 2. The certification mark ‘Organic’ is the only means to differentiate between certified Organic and conventional foods. 3. Labels and certification marks help a consumer to recognise trustworthy Organic products easily. 4. Organic certification and the logo are important marketing tools 5. Organic certification helps in getting comparatively a better price. Organic Certification of Livestock 1. Livestock those are used for Organic production must be brought from a source under continuous Organic management for the last three gestations or hatching. 2. Operator must provide a total feed ration composed of agricultural products, including pasture and forage that are organically OCA – 017 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by : Sandeep Bhargava Page 3 of 7 produced and if applicable, organically handled. Vitamins, trace elements and supplements shall be used from natural origin. 3. On the farm operator must have sufficient space for free movement of animals and assess roughages. 4. Operator should not use any kind of genetically modified Vaccines. 5. Operator should not use any kind of prohibited material during the Inconversion Period and for further continuation of certification. 6. Fill Organic livestock plan and submit it to OneCert office. The Certification Process The Certification process of OneCert is divided into 5 steps STEP-1:- Registration and Application:- For obtaining Organic Certification the first step is to be registered with OneCert Asia who in turn will provide you with an application packet. The packet contains Application form, Agreement, Organic Livestock Plan, and Farm Product and Inventory list. In Organic livestock Plan (OLP) information about Record keeping, feed management records, Pest and disease management practices, Preventive measures taken to avoid the disease and the methods used for prevention of contamination and commingling during the Livestock production operation are required. While submitting the Organic livestock plan, one must attach the Facility Map and Product label presently in use or to be used in future. STEP-2:- Application Review:- Once your complete application is received, we will review the same on the basis of applicable standards. If any incomplete information/non compliance is found or any additional information is needed, we will contact you. Once required information is gathered or non compliance is over, an on site audit is planned on a mutually agreed date and time. This reviewing of application usually takes about a couple of days based on the information provided by applicant. OCA – 017 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by : Sandeep Bhargava Page 4 of 7 STEP-3:- Inspection:- On the prescribed date a trained Organic Inspector, familiar with your type of operation will reach your facility. The inspector will thoroughly examine each process and documents of your operation and facility for the verification of your plan in an accurate description of Organic standard compliance. During an exit interview he will summarize his findings and ask for any additional information, if required. Inspection normally takes half a day to 3 days depending upon the complexity of operations. STEP-4:- Secondary Review:- After submission of the inspector’s report, it is reviewed to evaluate compliance with the applicable standards. During the Secondary Review if more information is required we will contact you. After the receipt of report from the inspector, the Secondary Review generally takes 2-4 days. STEP-5:- Certification Decision After completion of the Secondary Review, the file is sent for the final decision where it takes 1-2 weeks. After receiving the final decision you will receive your Organic Certificate along with a covering letter citing the conditions for awarding the certificate. The Organic Certificate contains name of your company, address, category of certification and list of certified Organic product. The entire Certification Process may take about 4-12 weeks depending upon documents and co-operation provided. Basic Requirements: 1. Origin of Livestock: All Organic animals should be born and raised on the Organic holding. When Organic Livestock is not available then it should be brought from conventional animals as per following limits. Organic meat animals must be under continuous Organic management for the last three years of gestation. Poultry must be under continuous Organic management beginning no late than the second day of life. Dairy animals must have been under continuous Organic management beginning 1 year prior to Organic milk production. Breeder stock may be brought from a non-Organic operation at any time. OCA – 017 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by : Sandeep Bhargava Page 5 of 7 2. Livestock Feed: Organic livestock must be fed a total ration composed of certified Organic feed, including pasture and forage. Nonsynthetic and synthetic substances allowed under § 205.603 & Appendix - 7 may be used as a feed additive & supplement. 3. Livestock Health Care Practices: Natural medicines and methods should be encouraged; preventive practices must be the primary practice. Genetically engineered Vaccines, hormones of heat induction, synthetic growth regulators are prohibited. Vaccinations are allowed when legally required. Health treatment must be done with nonsynthetic material, or synthetic substance as provided for on the national list under § 205.603 & Appendix - 7 (NPOP). 4. Livestock Living Conditions: Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, roughages, fresh air, and freedom of movement and direct sunlight suitable to species. Herd animals should not be kept individually. Shelter, shade as per production stage, environment including access to roughages, pasture for ruminants should be provided. Mutilation is not allowed. 5. Transport and Slaughter: Handling during transport and slaughter shall be calm and gentle. The use of electric sticks and such instruments are prohibited. 6. Documentation: All activities including purchase, medication and gestation details etc. has to be documented in written accounts and supported by labels and invoices. For the detailed requirements please consult OneCert International Standards, USDA-NOP, NPOP-India & EU 834/2007 regulations. OCA – 017 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by : Sandeep Bhargava Page 6 of 7 Above standards can be downloaded from our website www.onecertasia.in. Cost of Organic Certification by OneCert:- OneCert is formed to provide understandable, affordable and efficient certification simultaneously for the India-NPOP, US-NOP, and European Union-EU 834/2007 standards in One Certification fees i.e. One Certification fee for ALL. The fees may vary depending upon the time required for different activities such as processing of application, review/s, inspection/s, report writing, decision making etc. Fees of a Livestock operation depend upon: 1. No. of products applied for Organic Certification. 2. Intensity of the operation. 3. No. of Operation sites or Offices. 4. Size of operation. 5. Complexity of operation. 6. Records maintained and information provided. 7. Support provided by applicant. The Fees for the different categories of Operators may be within in the range of Rs.10, 000/- to Rs.1,00,000/-.For more details please write to OneCert Asia Office with brief description of your operations. Time taken by OneCert Asia for Organic Certification The complete certification process may take 4 to 12 weeks depending upon the providence of information and support by the applicant. Benefits of Organic Certification by OneCert Asia 1. OneCert Organic Certification services are understandable, affordable and efficient. 2. We provide NPOP-India, NOP-USDA and EU 834/2007 Certification all in one single fee. 3. A team of young, energetic and experienced inspectors, having excellent knowledge of different types of operations is deputed. OCA – 017 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by : Sandeep Bhargava Page 7 of 7 4. OneCert Logo is recognized internationally as a symbol of very high integrity and quality. 5. Customer services and other supports to the clients are par excellence. 6. Requirements of the entire major international standards have been summarized in the OneCert International standards. 7. Fully understanding the values and importance of Transaction Certificates, these certificates are released within 24 hrs. of receiving the required documents . 8. Neither hidden costs nor confusing statements. Complaint & Appeals Under the provisions of OneCert Certification Procedure (OCA-111) any decision taken in respect of granting withholding, renewal, suspension or cancellation of certification under the NPOP, NOP & EU 834/2007 can be appealed against. An operator may also lodge the complaint. For the Procedure and Guidelines for making an appeal and complaints, contact Sandeep Bhargava Chief Executive Officer OneCert Asia Agri Certification (P) Ltd. H-08, Mansarovar Industrial Area, Mansarovar, Jaipur – 30 20 20, Rajasthan, India Phone No. +91 141 6541882 & Fax No: +91 141 2395481 E-mail: info@onecertasia.in; Website: www.onecertasia.in