What is Organic Centre Wales (OCW)? OCW is the national resource for consumers, farmers and policy makers committed to more sustainable food and farming in Wales. Set up in 2000, it delivers projects to support the organic sector for the Welsh Government.[link:about::About the Centre Information for consumers

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What do the organic Standards mean?

What about animal welfare?

* Animals must have enough room to express their natural behaviour.
* All stock, including pigs and poultry, must have access to pasture when conditions allow.
* Intensive cereal-feeding of beef and dairy cattle, which can lead to health problems, is not allowed.
* the use of battery hen cages is not allowed
* No routine dosing with antibiotics, but animals must be treated when ill to avoid suffering.

What about growing crops?

* Growing different crops from season to season means that pests and diseases don't have a chance to build up.
* Farmers build up their soil fertility by the use of clover and animal manures.
* No artificial nitrogen fertilisers are allowed and the use of other mineral fertilisers is restricted.
* Organic farmers are only permitted to use a small number of pesticides and even then only under certain conditions.
* No herbicides are allowed on organic farms.

How long does it take a farmer to produce organic animals and crops?

* It takes at least two years for a farm to convert to organic production before the products can be sold as organic.
* Farmers have to follow organic Standards from the start of conversion, and to make sure they do, they are inspected every year and their products are licensed .

What about GMs?

* No Genetically Modified materials such as seeds and feeds may be used.