Rules for the transition from traditional agricultural production to organic farming. Country/Territory Kyrgyzstan Document type Regulation Date 2021 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Food & nutrition, Fisheries, Cultivated plants Keyword Ecological production/organic production Certification Agricultural commodities Ecofriendly products/ecofriendly processes Apiculture/sericulture Crops/grasses Pastoralism Standards Fishery management and conservation Aquaculture Diadromous fish Fish products Aquatic animals Processing/handling Cattle Sheep/goats Swine Equine-animals Meat Milk/dairy products Poultry products Packaging/labelling Animal feed/feedstuffs Animal production Poultry Geographical area Asia, Central Asia, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Europe and Central Asia, Landlocked Developing Nations, North Asia Abstract These Rules of transition from traditional agricultural production to organic farming are developed in accordance with Part 1 of Article 5 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic Law No. 65 “On organic agricultural production” and determine the transition from traditional agricultural production to organic farming. These Rules apply to natural or legal persons engaged in organic agricultural production intended as organic crop production and organic livestock breeding. Transition period (conversion) shall be intended the period required for the transition to an organic farming method, during which the requirements established for organic production are applied. All operations carried out during the transition period must meet the requirements of organic agricultural production in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of organic agricultural production, the rules established by international treaties to which the Kyrgyz Republic is a Party, generally accepted principles, standards, as well as these Rules. Transition period from traditional agricultural production to organic farming shall begin as follows: (a) two years before sowing or planting (for annual plants); (b) two years before grazing or harvesting on pastures or meadows for use as organic feed; and (c) three years before the harvest of organic products (for perennial plants, except fodder plants). Transition period for livestock breeding shall be as follows: for cattle and horses used for meat production (a) 12 months and at least 3⁄4 of their life cycle must pass in an organic management system; calves for meat production (b) six months, after their delivery, only weaned from the mother, under the age of 6 months; for the production of dairy products (c) 90 days during the period of implementation established by the competent authority, then six months; goats and sheep (a) for the production of meat products – six months; (b) for the production of dairy products 90 days during the period of implementation established by the competent authority, then six months; swine (a) for meat production – six months. Poultry/laying birds: (a) for the production of poultry (meat) products – 12 weeks, upon purchase of poultry/birds up to three days old; and (b) for egg production – six weeks. Products obtained from animals may be classified as organic in the case of simultaneous transition to organic farming of all production, including livestock, pastures and (or) any land that is used for animal feed. The total period of transition, both for existing animals and for their offspring, pastures and (or) land plots used for animal feed, may be reduced to 24 months if the animals are fed mainly by products of their own production. Beekeeping products may be sold as organically produced if these rules and the rules/standards for organic production have been observed for at least one year. When choosing breeds, it is necessary to take into account the ability of bees to adapt to local conditions, their viability and resistance to disease. The duration of the transitional period during which the rules of organic agricultural production shall apply, as well as, where appropriate, exceptions to the rules of organic production, shall be: (a) 12 months - when growing sturgeon for caviar; (b) 6 months - when growing sturgeon for the purpose of obtaining aquaculture products, except caviar for alimentary purposes; and (c) 4 months - when growing fish (except sturgeon), invertebrates and algae. Products that are in the process of transition to organic, can be labelled as "the product is in the process of transition to the system organic production" provided that: (a) the producer has been included in the certification program and that production or processing has been carried out in accordance with these Rules and Standards during the previous twelve months; and (b) the label includes the reference "the product is in the process of transition to the system of organic production" or a similar statement in color, size and style of the inscription, which is no more noticeable than the description of the product for sale; the list of ingredients should be in descending order of quantity and indicate which of its ingredients are "at the stage of transition to the system of organic production." The labelling shall reflect the name and/or code number of the officially recognized certification body. Full text Russian Website agro.gov.kg References - Legislation Implements Law No. 65 “On organic agricultural production.” Legislation | Kyrgyzstan | 2019 Keyword: Basic legislation, Ecological production/organic production, Certification, Agricultural commodities, Ecofriendly products/ecofriendly processes, International trade, Aquaculture, Fish products, Genetically modified organism (GMO), Processing/handling, Meat, Packaging/labelling, Animal feed/feedstuffs, Animal production, Animal health, Planting material/seeds, Biotechnology, Plant production Source: FAO, FAOLEX