Bioacademy 2005 - The Conclusions of Conference B: Animal health in organic farming
At this conference, which focused on animal health in organic farming, emphasis was put on the importance of EU Regulation No.1804/99 which set the basic rules for animal health, breeding and treatment. Werner Hagmüller introduced the topic and discussion relate to the regulation and animal production in organic farming. The regulation is no less important from the prospective of consumer protection and prevention if synthetic medication is necessary to be used – double withdrawal time is set as a protective period. Still, this is not the final shape of the regulation, its further development is expected. Animal husbandry must comply with the needs of individual species. Council Regulation No. 2092/91 requires regular exercise and access to grazing land for all farm animals.
Professional experience and advice related to veterinary homeopathy and other natural therapies were presented. Andreas Striezel spoke about homeopathic methods which are used by 30% of veterinarians in Germany . Merit of homeopathic treatment is in friendliness to the environment, patient and consumer as well. Furthermore these methods are economically advantageous. Homeopathic remedies can be combined with allopathic or herbal ones, in certain cases it is necessary to involve also conventional methods of treatment. The use of homeopathy in treating certain types of diseases, for example parasitosis, is constricted. Good results have been achieved in the field of homeopathic therapy, e.g. remedies for sterility, diseases of the claws, metabolic diseases and calf diseases.
Elisabeth Stöger reported that conventional treatment still prevails in Austria . Although the demand for alternative methods is quite strong, they are not used by many vets. Therefore training for farmers and, even more so, for veterinarians is recommended.
General rules of swine nutrition under organic system were also discussed at Conference B. Jozef Juršík assessed the organic pork as a quite recognizable pork meat from conventional pork meat. The composition and even way of feeding plays an important role in pigs' nutrition and improvement of their immunity.
Opinions and approaches to control parasites on organic farms were also dealt with. Veronika Maurer spoke about various animal species there are various possibilities of parasite control. In the future, certain plants included in feed – especially for sheep and goats – might play an important role in parasite control.
Christine Leeb presented the extensive husbandry systems in organic (pig) farming. These systems are welfare friendly and at the same time can significantly affect the environment. In the UK 25% of breeding sows are housed outdoors which is a great contribution to their health and welfare. Extensive outdoor breeding provides conditions satisfying natural behavioural needs of animals. From the farmer's side, excellent observational skills are necessary as well as the willingness to work outside even in cold and wet weather.
Evaluation of production systems in organic sheep farming in the Czech Republic presented Věra Mátlová from report from the Research Institute of Animal Production in Prague - Uhříněves. Researches took places on farms with block of sheep from 20 up to 1 300 sheep.
Livestock breeding on organic farms is very important regarding economics and protection of the environment. In organic breeding, preventive measures should be preferred. Therefore research in the field of prevention and alternative medicine should be supported. Transfer of information from research to veterinary and farming practice is no less important.
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