Dutch organic farming in need of alternative medicines

Organic pig and poultry farms need good alternatives to chemical drugs, said researchers from Wageningen UR Livestock Research in the Netherlands in a report on animal welfare in organic farming.

According to the researchers, banning chemical animal drugs in organic pig farms can increase the risk of liver damage caused by roundworms. The researchers are calling for better alternatives to chemical products.

In organic poultry flocks, the mortality rate in hens is often higher than conventionally housed hens due to the higher infection pressure. Again, the sector should therefore work towards alternative medicines for organic systems.

Lung diseases are more common in organic pigs. According to the researchers, this is due to the high dust levels in the stables and the mixing of animals from different litters.

The researchers also found that crushing of piglets is a common problem in organic pig systems. The researchers believe this problem can be solved through the breeding conditions and walking space of the sows among others.