Why is organic farming better for animals?
A. The welfare of animals is one of the key principles of organic farming and their well-being is written into the regulations organic producers must follow. Animals are held at lower stocking densities than non-organic and must have access to the outdoors (weather permitting) and an appropriate diet at all times. While organic systems aim to avoid using antibiotics in animals, they are allowed (in fact, required) if the health or welfare of the animal is at risk or they are the only way to restore its full health. While on antibiotics, and for a period afterwards, that animal’s product must not be sold as organic. This withdrawal period for organic products is twice as long as that for non-organic ones.
