When an organic herd is constituted for the first time, conventionally reared calves can be bought at weaning but at less than six months of age, if organically reared animals are not available (only possible until the end of 2003) (Annex 3.4-3.5).
An established breeding herd can bring in breeding animals from non-organic holdings to allow for natural growth in a herd at a maximum of 10% of the herd, if organically reared animals are not available (Annex 3.8.). This number of bought-in breeding animals can be increased under special circumstances (major expansion, change of breed, new specialisation developed) (Annex 3.10).
Bulls can be brought in from non-organic holdings.