Pt. B.1 d) of Standing Committee on Organic Farming agenda Brussels, 14-15 Oct. 2010 Presentation of Polish initiative for harmonised rules on organic deer production.

Why are organic rules on deer production needed? Common deer rules are a good way to increase consumers trust to organic farming sector by ensuring the consumers that fallow deer products made in different Member States are produced under the same standards. 2) Introducing common rules into the 889/2008 will allow deer producers to use European Organic Logo on the products and therefore join advertising campaigns on the logo. 3) Increase of scope of organic products available on the market.

Source for our initiative On 15 Apr 2010 - e-mail sent to all SCOF members. Our proposal is based on 4 MS replies, 3 organic deer standards from IE, LT and SI and our experience in the deer production.

Article 7 is amended as follows: “This Chapter lays down detailed production rules for the following species: bovine including bubalus and bison, equidae, red deer, sika deer, fallow deer, porcine, ovine, caprine, poultry (species as mentioned in Annex III) and bees.

New animals in scope of the 889/2008 regulation Red deer (Cervus elaphus) New animals in scope of the 889/2008 regulation

Fallow deer (dama dama)

Sika deer (Cervus nippon)

Deer production characteristic 1) Production is based mainly on pastures. High energy feed is not needed. 2) Deers do not need specific buildings to keep them. Only special facilities for manipulation, weterinary support and zootechnic activities are needed.

3) Deers can easily be accustomed to farm service.

In article 11 the following points 8 and 9 are added: (reproduction) 8. Red deer, sika deer and fallow deer females in late stage of pregnancy and two weeks after birth shall have access to areas covered with vegetation, that allows to hide their calves. 9. Forced changing if the pastures in period from first birth until two weeks after last birth is forbidden.”

Main problem - antlers While an antler is growing, it is covered with velvet, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing bone; once the antler has achieved its full size, the velvet is lost and the antler's bone dies (late summer, early autumn). This dead bone structure is the mature antler, which is itself shed after each mating season (winter).

In article 11 the following point 7 is added: 7.Outdoor areas for red deer and fallow deer shall be equipped with facilities or be covered with vegetation that allows animals to rub off velvet form their antlers.

Maturing antlers

Deer with mature antlers is dangerous to other animals and farmer Deer with mature antlers is dangerous to other animals and farmer. Most dangerous are deers with single antlers, that may be used like a spear. To avoid danger, mature antlers are removed. It makes animals calm and much less dangerous.

In article 18 the following point 5 is added 5. Red deer, sika deer and fallow deer males antlers may be removed for the safety reasons if separation of aggressive males from the herd is not possible. Antlers may be removed only when antlers are fully calcified. Removal must be carried by a trained personnel.

Red deer without antlers

Thank you very much for your attention. Bartosz Pytlak, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Poland Bartosz.Pytlak@minrol.gov.pl