Organic pigs must have access to outdoors, shade,shelter, exercise areas, fresh air, clean drinking water,
and direct sunlight as suitable for the animal’s stage of life, the climate, and the environment.
Pigs are required to have access to the outdoors, but raising pigs on pasture is not required by organic regulations.
Organic pigs must have access to clean and dry bedding.If the bedding is crop residue, it must be from
organic crops. Other bedding materials such as shredded newsprint, wood chips, wood shavings, sawdust,
and sand are allowed in organic systems and do not need to be certified organic.
Organic regulations do not specify exactly how much living space is adequate. However, most firms that buy
organic pigs and many retailers that market organic pork have adopted more-specific space requirements.
USDA organic regulations do not directly address farrowing crates or gestation stalls, but organic livestock
are required to have access to the outdoors, direct sunlight, and the opportunity to exercise. Any production
practice that restricts access to required living conditions must be discussed with the certifier ahead of time and will need to be for a very limited period. Some markets may have additional requirements regarding crates or stalls.