CERTIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR ORGANIC LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN INDIA
Shanu singour1, Yasir rather2
- PhD scholar, Department of Animal Nutrion, NDVSU Jabalpur
- PhD scholar, Department of Poultry science, NDVSU Jabalpur
Introduction: Covid -19 pandemic change the human food habit toward nutrition and healthy food to build a strong immune system, increasing organic food demand is a witnessed to increase uptake since the onset of pandemic, Organically grown foods generally contain higher levels of antioxidants, certain micronutrients, no harmful chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers, better taste and most important thing is organically grown produce aids in the sustainability of the planet and in maintaining ecological balance. In order to assure the consumer that a product is produced organically, a kind of quality control is needed.
Organic quality is based on standards, inspection, certification and accreditation. All organic food is produced and handled according to strict rules called ‘organic standards, Most of the countries have national certifying body or agencies who certify the production management system as Organic. Without their certification, products cannot reach the consumers as organic.Concept of organic livestock production was formulated by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and was further implemented by EU regulation 2091/92 in the year 2000.
Need of standards for livestock organic farming: People are wary to purchase organic food due to lack of confidence about its genuineness. Fraud and miss-labelling occurs when a Food Business Operator (FBO) marks a product as organic while it contains non-organic ingredients. The organic production standards are not adhered to in the production process. Therefore, it becomes important to check if the food labelled as “organic” is genuinely organic
Organic Standards in world: Presently there are five important organic standards which have been accepted world widely.1. European Union Regulation (1804/1999), 2. Organic Food Products Act (OFPA) of USA 3. Draft Guidelines of Codex/WHO/FAO 4. United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) of UK 5. The International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) basic standards France.
Organic Standards in India: Organic livestock production is governed by number of rules directed towards 1. High status of animal welfare. 2. Concern for environment. 3. Restricted use of medicines. 4. Production of organic products without any pesticides or drug residues. India has also developed its own organic standards among others including animal husbandry, which are largely based on the IFOAM basic standards. In India, during 2000 the National Programmed for Organic Production (NPOP) was launched and in May, 2001, the National Accreditation programmed was notified by the Ministry of Commerce, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority (APEDA).
National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP): Presently these standards are available for: (i) Crop production (ii) Livestock, Poultry and Products (iii) Beekeeping /Apiculture (iv) Aquaculture Production (v) Food Processing & Handling (vi) Any other category of products that the National Accreditation Body (NAB) may include from time to time
Principles for organic livestock production: In organic farming concept livestock production is land based activity where livestock farming is integrated with organic farm. Livestock management in organic farm should be in consistent with following principles:
- a) Natural breeding
- b) Protection of animal health and welfare
- C) Fed with organic feed and fodder
- d) Access to grazing in organic fields
- E) Freedom to express natural behavior
- f) Reduction of stress and
- g) Prohibition of use of chemically synthesized allopathic veterinary drugs, antibiotics, hormones, growth boosters, feed additives etc.
Guidelines for organic certification of livestock products
Organic certification: Certification is essentially a seal of approval to assure customers that the production methods used by organic farmers follow strict quality standards. In some cases, the term organic has been loosely used in the market place and there is potential for fraud. Certification and the use of the label ‘certified organic’ add confidence and reduce the possibility of misleading advertising. It has proven to be a valuable marketing tool both domestically and internationally.
Steps required for certification
- Local certification agency has to be contacted to know their standards as they vary from area to area and type of production.
- Study the standards and check with the certification agency if there is anything that is not clear.
- Submit a completed application and fees to the certification agency like APEDA (Agricultural Products Export Development Agency), NSOP (National Standards for Organic Products)
- The certification agency’s certification committee will consider the application and if anything is in order, will hire a third party inspector to make an on-farm assessment periodically.
- The inspector submits a comprehensive report and committee member’s made a decision based on the report and sells products as ‘certified organic’.
NPOP Certified Organic Food Products: A trademark – “India Organic” will be granted on the basis of compliance with the National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP). Communicating the genuineness as well as the origin of the product. This trademark is owned by the Government of India.Only such exporters, manufacturers and processors, whose products are duly certified by the accredited inspection and certification agencies, will be granted the licence to use of the logo which would be governed by a set of regulations.
Conclusion: Organic livestock production certification or standard are formulated to human health benefit, animal health and welfare and maintaining ecological balance, They work to prevent fraud and assure quality of organic food.
References:
Information System on Organic Livestock Farming, Retrieved from: ivri.nic.in
https://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in/uploads/operational_manuals/165217729821PGS_India_Standards.pdf
