"Organic is better for animals and the environment - that's something we've all heard. But is it really true? And what can animal owners expect from organic food?
The term "organic" is commonly used to describe products with different seals, for example Demeter, EU-Bio and Bioland. What all these labels have in common is that they have higher requirements with regard to environmental protection, animal husbandry and processing is legally prescribed as a minimum standard. What exactly these requirements look like and how they are implemented, however, differs from seal to seal.
Auch Nutztiere haben ein schönes Leben verdient – dazu gehören unter anderem ausreichend Platz und Bewegung, Beschäftigung, Licht und frische Luft.
The so-called "stocking density" indicates how much space must be available per individual animal in the barn. This is significantly higher in the EU organic label than in the conventional minimum standards. In conventional stables, five large fattening bulls may be kept on an area of 15 square metres - in an organic farm, you will find only three bulls on the same area and even an additional run. This makes a big difference for the animals! Not only can they move around more, in a group of bulls there are always fights. The larger area allows the animals to get out of each other's way and relax. Broilers are also given much more space in the barn and must have constant access to the open air, where they can be chickens to their heart's content - this includes running around, scratching, pecking and also hiding under bushes. The construction of organic barns should also ensure animal welfare: for example, cattle barns must not only consist of slatted floors, but must have comfortable and dry lying areas, and chicken coops must be equipped with sufficient perches for each animal.
A major difference in organic animal husbandry compared to conventional intensive animal husbandry is the use of medicines, especially antibiotics. Organic husbandry focuses more on the prevention of diseases by changing the husbandry conditions - diseases can already be contained by hygienic conditions, more space per animal and area in the fresh air. If an animal does have to be treated, herbal medicines should be preferred - in the case of severe bacterial infections, antibiotics are also allowed in organic husbandry. However, much more time must pass before an animal can be slaughtered after such treatment than in conventional husbandry.
