Organic livestock husbandry and breeding - Organic Agriculture: A Global Perspective - page 155

rowing sows and weaners (Baumgartner et al . 2003). Similar conditions exist in the Nether-
lands or Germany (Vermeer et al . 2000, Winckler et al . 2001). In contrast, a small sample from
England has shown that organic pigs were housed outdoors (Day et al . 2003). In Switzerland
and Finland, tying stalls are still the predominant housing system for dairy cows (Busato et al .
2000, Roiha 2000). Tying stalls are more common in South Germany where smaller farms
dominate (Hörning et al . 2004b).
Several methods of scoring systems are available to assess animal welfare at the farm
level. One of these systems, the animal needs index (ANI 35) has got some importance in
Austria. Organic farms must achieve a certain minimum level of points to be accepted for
organic registration (Bartussek 2003). Roiha (2000) used the same system in 26 Finnish
dairy farms. The ANI scores are primarily calculated on the animals' environment rather
than on animal-based parameters; however, many scientists are now arguing for the inclu-
sion of more animal-based parameters for on-farm assessment schemes (e.g. Hegelund et al .
2003, Winckler et al . 2003).
Investigations have shown that farmers do not always maintain suitable standards for
housing animals (Hörning et al . 2004a,b). For example, in Germany, some farmers did not
follow all the provisions of the German regulations for keeping laying hens. Therefore, it seems
useful to train people in organic certifying organisations to be aware of the standards and to
ensure they are followed.
The abovementioned regulations contain many discretionary provisions or derogations. It
seems in some cases that exceptions are regarded as the rule. For example, in Germany, organic
advisers generally say that an exercise yard for cattle is not necessary for loose housing systems
in winter if the animals have access to pasture in summer. Other difficulties in interpretation
might occur. A derogation of the EU regulation allows tying stalls for cattle in small herds
after 2010. To enact this derogation therefore requires a definition of a 'small herd'. These
ambiguities will increase the risk that some farmers will try to fulfil the necessary minimum,
and for this reason will not fulfil the expectations of consumers. Consumers in most European
countries attach great importance to animal welfare when buying organic products (Hamm
and Gronefeld 2004, Anonymous 2005).
The EU regulation allows transition periods in some cases; for example, loose housing for
cattle or access to the outside until 2010. Stanchion barns are still common on smaller farms.
Reconstruction to loose housing is often connected with high investment costs. Therefore,
many farmers seem to wait until the end of the derogation period. However, they will sell their
products as organic in the meantime. Again, this may reduce consumers' confidence.
The fulfilment of regulations does not guarantee animal welfare per se . To reiterate, the
regulations offer the precondition for welfare. Good welfare depends on many more factors
that could be regulated for in them standards. Therefore, good management is essential to
achieve good animal welfare and farmers need to be trained in appropriate management tech-
niques to achieve this end. Scientifically sound methods are available to judge animal welfare
at the farm level (e.g. Sorensen and Sandoe 2001, Webster and Main 2003).
Although farmers in some countries have difficulty converting their intensive housing
systems, in other countries problems might occur with very extensive systems. For example, in
extensive grazing systems such as those in Australia or Argentina, cattle or sheep may have
problems with water availability or with protection against negative climatic inf luences (heat,
wind) or even against predators.
Alternative housing systems are often relatively new and experience is thus limited. Housing
systems are often not included in the normal education of farmers because they are regarded as
too 'exotic'. Therefore, efforts should be made to close these knowledge gaps in practice.