Comparison of 12 Different Animal Welfare Labeling Schemes in the Pig Sector

Animal welfare labeling schemes have been developed to respond to consumers’ expectations regarding farm animal welfare. They are designed to certify that labeled products comply with certain animal welfare standards. In this study, 12 pig welfare labeling schemes were reviewed, and their criteria related to pig welfare were compared. Information regarding farrowing criteria, space allowance, outdoor access, mutilations, and provision of enrichments and bedding material were gathered from the labels’ internet pages and documentation. The results indicated a substantial variation between the labels in terms of the level of animal welfare they ensure. While certain schemes barely exceeded the minimum standards for the protection of pigs in the European Union, more demanding tiers of the multitier schemes had the potential to improve animal welfare substantially. The most ambitious tiers of multistage schemes were often comparable to organic standards providing outdoor facilities and additional space. The heterogeneity of the labels’ standards complicates the comparison of labels.

Compliance of Goat Farming under Extensive Grazing with the Organic Standards and Its Contribution to Sustainability in Puebla, Mexico

In order to determine whether organic production may be a viable option for goat farmers of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, Mexico, in order to increase sustainability of their farms, we evaluated the extent to which these goat farms fulfill organic standards. Additionally, we revised their level of sustainability by calculating an Organic Livestock Conversion Index (OLCI) using 10 indicators and 36 variables. Information was obtained through two means: direct observation and a questionnaire applied to 119 goat farmers of six municipalities of the region. These goat farms principally consist of creole goats that graze in extensive communal rangelands and grasslands in non-arable lands with xerophytic vegetation, and their principal product is meat of adult goats. The goat farms had a moderate level of OLCI (48.0–53.6%) as well as a moderate level of sustainability (46.0–58%) for the goat farms included in this study). Five indicators showed limited compliance of the goat farms, with organic standards. Five showed a high level of compliance. The greater the OLCI value, the greater the sustainability of the goat farms. Increasing the level of compliance of the goat farms of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, with the organic standards, which would in turn increase their level of sustainability, would require improving technical, social, environmental, and economic aspects of these farms, as well as co-responsibility in promoting sustainable organic goat farming by the different social actors involved (farmers, researchers, technical advisors, and policymakers).

Water in Sustainable Agriculture Standards

This review synthesises evidence on water in sustainable agriculture standards. Sustainable agricultural standards, hereafter standards, is a broad term encompassing certification schemes, tools, and programmes. The International Trade Centre’s Sustainability Standards Map includes 166 agricultural standards . However, there is a smaller number of prominent standards that are popularly used by major retailers or for particular commodities. Two studies looking at how water is considered in standards selected smaller numbers: Morgan (2017) benchmarks 25 popular use conventional agricultural standards and organic standards, whilst Vos & Boelens (2014) selected eight prominent standards for their analysis. The evidence base for this request was limited. Whilst water is included in individual standards, there is limited research on the efficacy or impact of standards on water issues. This review identified an extremely small number of studies that either assessed or benchmarked standards’ water related requirements or the impacts of certification and water requirements on water resources.

Soil Fertility Management Based on Certified Organic Agriculture Standards – a Review

In certified organic agricultural systems, soil nutrient status relies primarily on incorporation of organic matter and other specific inputs to meet requirements for phosphorus and micronutrients. Nutrient management strategies based on defined standards seek to maintain sufficient nutrient availability while minimizing potential losses. Although organic systems may result in lower levels of production than conventionally managed systems, sound soil nutrient management practices can minimize this gap. Certified organic standards are widely established globally, but traditional farming practices that resemble organic systems are also commonly used without adherence to a certified scheme. There is considerable debate about the efficiency of bio-amendments for use in organic farming due to their variability. Questions also persist about the sustainability of organic soil fertility management practices. The relevance of global variations among organic certification standards has not been a major consideration in research. Most soil improvement strategies focus on assessing the impact of particular amendments with less attention to a more holistic approach which integrates all components of the agricultural system. Research on implementation of practices based on certified organic standards highlights potential for multi–disciplinary, in-depth studies that identify combined impacts of organic management practices at a local scale. Standards developed at national level may not fully account for the breadth of soil types and environmental conditions. While soil improvement based on certified organic standards can contribute to socio-economic development and ecosystem services, local soil characteristics need to be considered in parallel with potential new avenues for sourcing nutrients, including organic matter management.

ORGANIC SUGARCANE CULTIVATION IN TAHITI

Organic sugarcane has a strong economic potential in Tahiti. However, there is nomodel for small-scale organic cultivation, and the rules enforced by the applicablestandards don’t always respect the agroecological principles. To determine whethera small organic sugarcane farming system is profitable or not, especially in termsof productivity, control of bioagressors (weeds, rats and pests) and human resourcecosts, a 1ha field of sugarcane was planted in 2015, with nine different varieties, ina machineable context under European organic standards. After two years, thecultivars used showed yields from 40 up to 100 tons/ha of cane. Regarding thecontrol of bioagressors results were the following: 1) manual removing of weedsrequired 4 to 6 months after planting or after the first ratoon; 2) study of rat attacksduring the maturation period showed that in a dirty field, for early varieties (18°Brix at ten months of cultivation), the cane stalks can be entirely damaged, andthese attacks can even occur on canes with sugar content lower than 10%. Finally,the hand labor hoeing represented around 75% of the production costs. This resultdemonstrates that such organic cultivation is possible even when facing pest andweed problems. In further investigations, to improve hand labor efficiency, we willfirst focus on weed control using small mechanized treatments; secondly, we willaim at reducing rat infestations by the use of some unique early maturated varietiesto attract and treat them locally.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MYORGANIC: A CASE STUDY OF KOPERASI ABSB

Rice is a staple food and daily routine for Malaysians. Currently, the increasing population in Malaysia has led to the need to increase rice production with more quality. Therefore,the government established a scheme with national organic standards, MS 1259: 2015 which is myOrganic certification to recognize organic farms. Koperasi ABSB is the first rice farm that obtained this certification. Thus, the aims of this study are to explore the implementation of myOrganic in Koperasi ABSB and the barriers faced by this cooperative to implementing myOrganic certification. Qualitative method is used in this case study through interviews and observation. The finding showed that the implementation of myOrganic is as follows, by register myGAP, register myOrganic, Department of Agricultural Malaysia (DOA) will send a supervisor, prepare nine files or records, perform internal and external audit, and renew myOrganic. This study is expected to increase awareness of organic farming practices and promote the implementation of myOrganic in agriculture industry especially for the new farmer who wants to register and obtain myOrganic certification.