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What the Standards say about living conditions
NOP Standards require producers to "establish and maintain livestock living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of the animals" (§205.239). Specific requirements stipulate that:
• All animals must have "access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight" as appropriate for "the species, its stage of production, the climate and the environment." Confinement of animals is allowed only on a temporary basis based on weather conditions, health or the animal's stage of production.
• Ruminants must have access to pasture (see "access to pasture" definition in the next section).
• Bedding must be kept clean and dry. If livestock typically eat the bedding, it must be organically produced, like any other part of their feed.
Livestock housing or shelter must be designed to give animals:
• Room for exercise and other natural behaviors such as grooming and lying down
• Protection from extreme temperatures
• Ventilation and fresh air
• Protection from injury
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