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28. Most organic dairy production is based on Soil Association, United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) or other recognised key standards. These require high levels of stockmanship, soil and pasture management and exacting attention to animal welfare to ensure healthy stock while avoiding routine drug use. Organic standards-setting authorities allow the use of conventional treatments in cases where the animals' welfare is at risk, but with extended withdrawal periods for animals or products which are to be marketed under an organic label.
29. We welcome this flexible approach and emphasise that any dairy cow showing signs of disease or injury must receive immediate effective treatment. Welfare in organic dairy herds should not be poorer than in other herds because of higher disease incidence. Where the use of conventional drugs, including vaccines and anthelmintics is indicated, they must be administered even if this affects the timing or value of the sale of stock or products.
30. It is important that those considering the establishment of an organic unit should take advice from one of the organisations which sets standards for enterprises of this nature.
31. We are aware that the European Commission has drafted proposals for organic livestock standards. We support the UK Government view that provisions relating to livestock should be confined to the laying down of general principles. These can then be implemented by Member States in a way which would best accord with their own agronomic and climatic conditions.