National organic standards for Iran:II. Concepts and principles of standards for organic animal products and food processing

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Recently organic agriculture as a most popular alternative production system has increasingly been considered by scientists, people and policymakers and governments in the world, and many research programs are directed to this sustainable production system. In organic agriculture it is hardly recommended to integrate plant with animal husbandry in agroecosystem. Various animal products such as meat, milk and even wool are interested by the consumers worldwide. Standards in organic agriculture are principles, regulations and criteria that must be considered from animal production up to packaging, processing and consumption. Many of animal husbandry systems in Iran have excellent potential to be easily converted to organic system, such as pastoral nomadism and even some industrial animal production units, but the main reason for the refusal of our products could be the absence of organic standards which are to be considered during the production of those products. Writing the basics and principles of animal organic standards and also organic food processing standards and regulations for Iran is the first significant and necessary step in order to develop organic food and animal production system. This paper recommends the principles and standards, considering IFOAM basic standards for organic animal products and food processing in Iran.

Keywords


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