National Organic Standards Board

Livestock Committee

Proposed Guidance Recommendation

Animal Handling, Transport, and Slaughter

October 14, 2011

Introduction

Humane and respectful treatment of animals is a basic principle of organic production. 

The Livestock Committee of the NOSB submits this recommendation to the National 

Organic program and requests they issue formal guidance to assist producers, harvest 

facility personnel, and certifiers in developing systems that provide care and respect for 

the animals during this aspect of the organic food production system. 

Background

Harvesting animals for meat is conducted in a countless number of types of systems as 

designed by individual companies or operators. These facilities must adhere to 

numerous food safety, worker safety, and animal welfare state or federal regulations. 

Many also extend religious ritual standards to the process, for clientele that demand 

further requirements for the process. This guidance will allow the organic food 

production system suppliers to verify for their customers that the harvest process is 

conducted in a manner consistent with the Organic Food Production Act. 

Relevant Areas in the Rule

USDA organic regulations do not currently explicitly cover animal handling, transport, 

and slaughter. Therefore, the Livestock Committee is recommending the addition of a 

new section titled § 205.241: Humane handling, transport, and slaughter. The 

protection of organic integrity of the products from commingling and contamination in 

the harvesting process are currently in place for operations that are certified to meet all 

processing facility regulations and be labeled as organic under §205.272 

:Commingling and contact with prohibited substance prevention practice 

standard.

Committee Recommendation for Guidance

On Farm Handling and Facilities

Handling of livestock is necessary for proper health administration, care of newborns, 

aiding those with special needs, weaning, and preparation for transport. Handling of 

animals for transport is a stressful time for livestock. Often it is the only time they have 

ever been handled in such a deliberate fashion. Livestock are very aware of their 

surroundings and sense when operations are secure and peaceful in nature. 
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a. Operations should have appropriate scale physical restraint mechanisms in 

place so that animals feel secure in the space confined. 

b. Even when a facility is temporarily modified to corral, sort, and load livestock, 

the equipment should always be adequate to keep animals from triggering 

their fight or flight response mechanisms.

c. Structures, fencing, gates, and catching mechanisms must be sound and 

adequately designed to perform the required tasks and keep the animals 

calm.

d. Facilities should be constructed and maintained to prevent injury due to sharp 

edges, obstruction to movement, and weak latching mechanisms.

e. Holding facilities should be designed to allow ease of entry, ability to sort 

larger animals from smaller ones, and adjacent lots for weak or injured ones.

f. Lighting, non-slip footing, and sufficient personnel are also necessary to keep 

animals calm and safe at this time.

g. Young stock should not be transported until navels are dry or at least 48 

hours of age.

h. Reduced crowding for weak or lame animals, improved lighting for those with 

poor vision may be necessary.

i. Excessive use of force, electric prods, lifting or restraining techniques that 

could further harm the animal are not permitted.

j. Animals should be euthanized by trained personnel in a manner that 

minimizes suffering. 

Transportation of Animals

a. Loading of animals should be performed in a quiet, deliberate, and respectful 

manner.

b. Ramp inclines should be gradual to discourage balking, likewise stepping up 

and down should be appropriate for the size of stock being loaded.

c. Footing should be secure to reduce or eliminate slipping.

d. Shipping containers should provide adequate footing, be structurally sound, 

and provide seasonally appropriate environmental conditions.
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e. Animals should have enough room to move within the container and be able 

to regain a standing position in the event of falling.

f. Bedding may be necessary for extended duration, which if considered 

roughage, must be certified organic.

g. Trips in duration longer than 12 hours may require animals have access to 

feed and/or water as environmental conditions dictate for animal health 

considerations. 

h. Poultry crates should be packed at a rate that allows sufficient space for all to 

lie down and maintain appropriate temperature regulation. Crates should be 

stacked in a manner to allow sufficient ventilation for respiration and 

temperature regulation. Protection from the elements may also be necessary. 

i. Poultry should not be frightened into an area which causes piling while being 

handled for crating or loading. Broilers should not be held by their neck or 

wings alone.

Slaughter Facilities

a. Receiving pens at the plant must be sized appropriately for the class of 

animal being handled and designed to reduce balking.

b. Stepping up or down should not be difficult for the animal. Ramps should also 

be gentle enough to encourage movement.

c. Gaps between the shipping container and flooring of the facility must be 

minimal to prevent injury and provide safe and secure footing.

d. Lighting, gates, pens, and latches should be adequate for the animals being 

handled and provide staff the ability to move and sort the animals in an 

orderly manner.

e. Slaughter facilities are required to meet numerous local, state, and/or federal 

food safety regulations. Organic inspectors should have access to and the 

ability to review all relevant Federal or State inspection reports. These 

reports will show if the facility is already under the purview of an animal 

welfare inspection system.

f. Inspectors and reviewers can be aided in assessing welfare in plants that are 

not animal welfare certified by using the species specific criteria outlined in 

the guidance documents also being developed by the NOSB Livestock 

committee. These “core” criteria will not attempt to replicate a complete 
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welfare audit, but will ensure that the most crucial aspects of animal welfare in 

handling for slaughter are defined in a way that can be objectively observed 

and assessed.

g. Slaughter facilities exempt from State or Federal inspection are least likely to 

be animal welfare certified. Slaughter in these plants usually involves a small 

number of animals slaughtered at a time, and the process is slower and less 

mechanized than in larger plants. These conditions make it feasible for 

organic inspectors to observe slaughter handling and assess whether these 

core welfare criteria are met.

h. Animals that arrive in a compromised physical condition must be handled in a 

respectful manner without the use of excessive human intervention.

i. The use of electric prods is prohibited, except where animal and human 

safety is in jeopardy and is a means of last resort.

j. Euthanasia must only be performed by trained personnel. 

k. Plants offer humane ritual slaughter, which is an indicator of respect for 

animal welfare. 

l. Slaughter plants may be certified by one or more animal welfare programs. 

Inspectors may make note of these as they may show intent of the operator to 

perform their duties in a respectful manner. These do not supersede the 

organic regulations like state or federal regulations do. 

Committee Vote

Motion: Wendy Fulwider Second: Mac Stone

Yes: 4 No: 0 Absent: 3 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0