Slaughter facilities

Do I need to use a certified organic slaughter facility?

Yes. All operations, including slaughter facilities, that produce and handle livestock to be sold as organic must be certified. It’s important to plan for accessing a certified organic facility if choosing to raise organic livestock.

What happens if I use a non-certified slaughter facility?

Any certified organic animal processed at a non-certified facility immediately loses its organic status. It may not be sold as organic. However, it can still be sold as non-organic product.

Livestock can be sold “on the hoof,” meaning that a buyer takes ownership of the live animal or portion of the live animal prior to slaughter.