Organic pork, identified in your grocery by the USDA Organic seal on its packing, is meat from organically raised pigs. Organic farming of livestock involves raising animals in an environment that supports the natural behavior of animals with respect to their diet and housing. Producers follow the stringent standards established by the National Organic Program, or NOP, a division of the USDA Marketing Service. The NOP develops and implements regulations for organic food production to ensure that consumers receive dependable organic products.
Organic Pig Farms
USDA accredited agents certify and annually inspect all farms that raise livestock with the intent of selling their products as organic. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, in 2008 the leading state with 32 certified organic hog farms was Wisconsin. These farms follow an organic production system that documents and monitors all practices of the farm, including the origin and use of all substances and management practices that prevent the mixing of organic and non-organic materials and products.
Feed for Organic Livestock
Producers bring pigs in their last third of gestation to their certified organic farms and raise the offspring for the production of organic pork. These animals feed on organically produced feed that is free of pesticides and herbicides. The diets of organically raised pigs are also free of antibiotics, growth hormones, genetically modified grains, animal by-products, chemically extracted feed, drugs or synthetic amino acids. Most synthetic products are prohibited, except for some vaccinations, medications, vitamins and mineral supplements.
Living Conditions
Farmers consider the natural behavior of the animals in raising organic livestock. The animals are not confined, but are allowed access to outdoors for exercise, sunlight, shade, shelter and fresh air, according to the weather and environment. Indoor shelters maintain proper ventilation, temperature, air circulation, clean drinking water and bedding. Appropriate measures are also taken to avoid contamination from animal waste.
Health Care of Organic Livestock
Farmers maintain preventative health-care practices for organic livestock. Only very few synthetic substances such as disinfectants, aspirin, some vaccines, topical treatments and medications are allowed. Treatment with some of the permissible drugs generally requires a withdrawal period, during which time the animal is not slaughtered. Nevertheless, if an animal is sick, prohibited medication cannot be withheld to maintain the organic status of the animal. Pork from organic animals that were administered banned medications cannot be labeled or sold as organic.
References
- University of Minnesota Extension: Designing Feeding Programs for Natural and Organic Pork Production
- United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service: National Organic Program
- Agricultural Marketing Resource Center: Organic Pork Profile
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service: Organic Standards for Livestock Production
