Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 in the second paragraph of the first article provides products originating from agriculture, to which the latter regulation applies as follows:
(A) live or unprocessed agricultural products;
(B) processed agricultural products for use as food;
(C) feed and
(D) vegetative propagating material and seeds for cultivation.
Our assessment procedures take into account those four areas when assessing the qualifications of persons to carry out certification procedures. If all conditions for accreditation in these areas are fulfilled, they are also listed in the annex to the accreditation certificate.
Certification bodies accredited for certification of organic production and processing under Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007, in section “C” – feed include only customers – companies which produce feeds in the production process (eg. mixing concentrated feed). Customers which produce feed on their own farms (eg. grass, hay, corn, other cereals, etc.) are included in the area “A” or “B”.
We are kindly asking for your opinion if the current classification of the customers in the area “C” – feed is appropriate or whether it is necessary to include in this area all farms producing mainly unprocessed agricultural products (usually only for animal feed) kept on their own farms.
March 2017
3 different situations can be considered :
If an operator produces feed for his livestock on his own farm (eg grass, corn, cereals …), he must be included in unprocessed plant products, provided that the feed is intended exclusively for his own livestock. The operator may add to the agricultural products, substances complying with Annex V or additives listed in Annex VI to R (EC) 889. Category A
If the operator produces raw materials for animal feed, he can market them to third parties with the scope of unprocessed plant products. Category A
If the operator mixes the raw materials from his own holding and adds them to the substances listed in Annex V or additives of Annex VI and wishes to market the feed to third parties, he must be included in processed agricultural products for animal feed.
(It was agreed that this question would be forwarded to DG AGRI for further consideration)