Please fill out this questionnaire if you are requesting organic certification for poultry. Submit farm, pasture, and poultry facility maps as well as other supporting documents (documentation for pastures owned or rented for less than three years, feed and supplement product labels, etc.) as requested in this questionnaire. Use additional sheets as necessary.
SECTION 1: General Information / NOP Rule §205.401Applicant (Name/Company): / FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Applicant No: / Contact Person: / Check #:
Address:
/ Amount:
DR #:
City: / State: / Zip code: / Mem/Appl fee:
Phone: / Cell: / Base fee:
Fax: / Email: / Insp fee:
Legal Status: / Corporation / Limited Liability Company / Limited Partnership / Sole proprietorship
Trust or non-profit / Limited Liability Partnership / Other (specify)
State your company is registered in:
Are all facilities requested for certification located at the address listed above: Yes No
If no, give other addresses:
Are you currently certified organic by an agency other than Minnesota Crop Improvement Association? Yes No
If yes, list the name of the agency:
Do we have permission to contact the agency regarding your previous certification? Yes No
Year first certified organic:
Has certification ever been denied, suspended or revoked? Yes No
If yes, describe the circumstance(s) & attach documentation:
If transferring from another agency, attach a list of all noncompliance issues from last year’s certification and state how they have been addressed. No noncompliance issues
(Please submit a copy of your last year’s certification letter.)
Do you have access to a current copy of MCIA’s Organic Handbook? Yes No
Do you have access to a current copy of the NOP standards? Yes No
Preferred time for inspection: AM PM
Give directions to farm:
Do you raise crops? Yes No
If yes, submit an Organic System Plan - Producer Form.
Do you conduct handling activities such as packaging eggs or slaughter? Yes No
If yes, you may need to submit an Organic System Plan - Handler Form, contact MCIA for more information.
Do you purchase off-farm organic eggs or live birds for processing? Yes No
If yes, you must submit an Organic System Plan - Handler Form, contact MCIA for more information.
Does your state require registration or a license to conduct these activities? Yes No
If yes, are you registered? Yes No
Do you plan to label your products organic? Yes No
If yes, attach a clear, color copy of your proposed label(s) and submit to MCIA for approval.
Do you use or plan to use the USDA organic seal on product labels or market information? Yes No
Do you use or plan to use the MCIA logo on product labels or market information? Yes No
Do your labels include the phrase “Certified Organic by MCIA” or similar phrase directly below
your business contact information? Yes No
Do you plan to export organic poultry or poultry products to:
Canada European Union (EU) Japan Korea Taiwan
(For Canada and EU export, be sure to complete the table in 4.1.) Please contact MCIA for more information.
SECTION 2: Scope NOP Rule §205.201(a)(5)
NOP §205.100(a) Except for operations exempt or excluded in §205.101, each production or handling operation or specified portion of a production or handling operation that produces or handles crops, livestock, livestock products, or other agricultural products that are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as “100 percent organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))” must be certified according to the provisions of subpart E of this part and must meet all other applicable requirements of this part.
Type of Poultry Operation? Meat Eggs Live Birds
Chickens Ducks Geese Turkeys Other:
Type of Poultry / # of Birds / Projected Flocks/ year / Use (Meat, Eggs, Pullets)
SECTION 3: Poultry Operation Profile/Origin of Birds NOP Rule § 205.201, 205.236(a)(1)
NOP §205.236 The NOP requires poultry products that are sold, labeled, or represented as organic must be from poultry that has been under continuous organic management beginning no later than the second day of life. Poultry used as breeder stock may be brought from a nonorganic operation onto an organic operation at any time. Once an organic bird is removed from an organic system and subsequently managed on a nonorganic operation, the bird or edible poultry product is no longer eligible to be sold, labeled or represented as organically produced. Older birds grown under conventional management are allowed only as breeder stock for the production of hatching eggs. Records must be maintained sufficient to preserve the identity of all organically managed birds and edible and nonedible poultry products produced on the operation.
Classes of Poultry - A group of poultry that shares a similar stage of life or production. The classes of birds are those that are commonly listed on feed labels. Examples of classes used for the following types of poultry are:
Chickens: Turkeys: Ducks:
Eggs for hatching Eggs for hatching Eggs for hatching
Chicks/Starter Poults/Starter Ducklings/Starter
Pullets/Grower Broilers/Finisher Layers
Layers Meat
Broilers/Finisher
You may define your own classes of birds.
3.1 In the table below, list the classes of poultry (chicks, pullets, breeding stock, etc.) in your current flock for which you are requesting organic certification. Provide the species and breed, source, the number of birds, hatch date and start date of organic management for each class listed. Add additional sheets as needed. (Please have poultry purchase and/or breeding/hatch records available at inspection, including proof of organic certification for birds purchased as organic.)
Classes Of Poultry / Species and Breed (Example: Chickens – Rhode Island REds)Source / Number of Birds / Purchase Or Hatch Date / Start Date of Organic Management
Species/Breed:
Source:
Species/Breed:
Source:
Species/Breed:
Source:
Species/Breed:
Source:
Species/Breed:
Source:
Species/Breed:
Source:
Total in Flock
3.2 Because flock numbers are dynamic, please provide a description of changes in poultry numbers you anticipate over the next year. Specifically address: additional purchases, hatching plans, cull rates, mortality rates, slaughter, and sales.
3.3 Describe your plan for organic poultry replacement/sourcing:
Breed/raise own stock with continuous organic management
Organic management from second day of life
Purchase certified organic birds. (Make sure to maintain proof of organic certification for each purchase)
Other (describe):
3.4 Describe the individual birds/flock identification system you use. Include how birds are tracked as breeding stock, eligible for egg laying/slaughter.
3.5 Describe your management plan for raising chicks/pullets (heating, spacing, etc).
3.6 For Layers: At what age is the flock replaced?
How is the flock disposed of?
3.7 For Meat Birds: At what age are the birds marketed?
What is their projected weight at slaughter?
SECTION 4: Living Conditions NOP Rule §205.206 and §205.239NOP §205.206(f) The producer must not use lumber treated with arsenate or other prohibited materials for new installations or replacement purposes in contact with soil or livestock.
NOP §205.239(a) The producer must establish and maintain year-round poultry living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of the birds including;
1) Year-round access for all birds to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, clean water for drinking, and direct sunlight, suitable to the species, its stage of life, the climate, and the environment: Except, that, birds may be temporarily denied access to the outdoors in accordance with NOP§205.239(b). Continuous confinement of any birds indoors is prohibited.
3) Appropriate clean, dry bedding. Bedding which is edible must be organic.
4) Shelter designed to allow for:
a) natural maintenance, comfort behaviors, and opportunity to exercise;
b) temperature level, ventilation, and air circulation suitable to the species; and
c) reduction of potential for injury;
5) The use of yards and feeding pads, that shall be well-drained, kept in good condition (including frequent removal of wastes), and managed to prevent runoff of waste and contaminated waters to adjoining or nearby surface water and across property boundaries.
4.1 What type of housing/shelter is used for each class of poultry? Include the type of housing/shelter (Barn, Brooder barn, Coop, Floor or Multi-layer colony, Fixed Housing, Movable pens, Range shelter, Sun parlor, Trees, etc.), a description of the floor type and the size of the shelter (length X width).
Classes Of Poultry / House ID/Name / House Type / Floor TypeDimensions / # Birds
per House / Approximate Space/ Bird (sq ft)
4.2 The housing/shelter provided for each class of poultry allows for:
Natural maintenance (dust bathe, preening) Comfort behaviors (roosting, scratching, etc.)
Opportunity to exercise Reduction of potential for injury
Temperature control
Describe how temperature levels are controlled.
Ventilation/Air circulation
Describe how housing/shelter is ventilated and/or provides air circulation (especially to prevent buildup of ammonia, dust).
4.3 Is artificial lighting used? Yes No
If yes, what is the total day length with the use of lighting?
What is the source of artificial light?
4.4 How often are shelters cleaned out? Describe the process and any products used (i.e. disinfectants, sanitizers, cleaning products, etc.). Provide complete product names, labels and ingredient lists for all products that are not OMRI listed. (All products must be approved prior to use.)
4.5 If you use movable shelters (chicken tractors, movable pens, etc.), how often are they are moved?
4.6 What methods are used for rodent/pest control in the housing/shelter areas?
Mechanical traps Predators Cleanliness Mowing
Control products (list below and attach labels/ingredient information) Other:
Provide complete product name, manufacturer, and reason for use. (All products must be approved prior to use.)
Control Product Name / Manufacturer (Name, Address, Phone number) / Reason for Use4.7 Lumber treated with arsenate or other prohibited materials: Identify any locations with existing treated lumber and its approximate age. Also, list locations where you have used treated lumber in new installations or for replacement purposes and describe how you prevent contact with soil, poultry, crops and poultry feed.
4.8 What type of bedding materials are used for each class of poultry? Indicate whether materials are produced on-farm or purchased, the source (if purchased), and the certifier (if applicable). If purchased, submit a copy of the suppliers(s) proof of organic certification with this application. Agricultural products that are edible (i.e. not sawdust or sand) must be certified organic. Off-farm wood-based bedding materials must be free of glues, treatments, and synthetic finishes (e.g. wood chips from window manufacturers or pallet companies).
Classes Of Poultry / Type of Bedding / Produced On-Farm or Purchased / Source, If Purchased(Name, address) / Certified Organic
By Whom?
4.9 Check the sources of clean drinking water.
On-site well Municipal/County water
Creek/Ponds Other:
4.10 Describe how you monitor water quality.
4.11 Provide the date of the last water test conducted for bacteria and nitrates.
(If a water test was conducted, provide a copy of the results)
4.12 Describe the water delivery system or equipment.
4.13 How is the water delivery system/equipment cleaned/sanitized?
List cleaning/sanitizing products below and attach labels/ingredient information. Provide complete product name, manufacturer, and reason for use. (All products must be approved prior to use.)
Cleaning/Sanitizing Product Name / Manufacturer (Name, Address, Phone number) / Reason for Use4.14 Is a filtration system used? Yes No
If yes, please explain:
4.15 Are any water treatments (such as hydrogen peroxide) added to the drinking water? Yes No
If yes, list each additive, the amount or concentration, and frequency of use.
Water Treatment Name / Amount or Concentration / Frequency of Use4.16 If poultry have access to a creek/pond, describe how you prevent erosion around water sources and risks of contamination of the water.
SECTION 5: Outdoor Access and Land Management NOP Rule §205.202, §205.239§205.202Any field or farm parcel from which harvested crops are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as “organic,” must:
(a) Have been managed in accordance with the provisions of §§205.203 through 205.206;(b) Have had no prohibited substances, as listed in §205.105, applied to it for a period of 3 years immediately preceding harvest of the crop; and
(c) Have distinct, defined boundaries and buffer zones such as runoff diversions to prevent the unintended application of a prohibited substance to the crop or contact with a prohibited substance applied to adjoining land that is not under organic management.
NOP §205.239(a) The producer must establish and maintain year-round poultry living conditions which accommodate the health and natural behavior of the birds including;
2) Year-round access for all birds to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, clean water for drinking, and direct sunlight, suitable to the species, its stage of life, the climate, and the environment: Except, that, birds may be temporarily denied access to the outdoors in accordance with NOP§205.239(b). Continuous confinement of any birds indoors is prohibited.
5) The use of yards and feeding pads, that shall be well-drained, kept in good condition (including frequent removal of wastes), and managed to prevent runoff of waste and contaminated waters to adjoining or nearby surface water and across property boundaries.
NOP §205.239(b) A producer may provide temporary confinement or shelter for birds because of; Inclement weather; Birds’ stage of life; Conditions under which the health, safety, or well-being of the poultry could be jeopardized; Risk to soil and water quality; Preventative healthcare procedures or for the treatment of illness or injury; Sorting and shipping poultry and poultry sales: Provided, that, the birds shall be maintained under continuous organic management, including organic feed, throughout the extent of their allowed confinement; Breeding; or 4-H, FFA and other youth projects, for no more than one week prior to a fair or other demonstration, through the event and up to 24 hours after the birds have arrived home at the conclusion of the event. These birds must have been maintained under continuous organic management, including organic feed, during the extent of their allowed confinement for the event.
5.1 Outdoor access. All poultry are expected to have daily access to the outdoors year round.
On average how many hours per day are birds outdoors?
If it varies among different age groups and times of year, please list separately in the table below.
Classes Of Poultry / Spring / Summer / Fall / Winter5.2 Describe the monitoring practices used to determine the number of birds accessing the outdoors.