|
The Standard stipulates minimum requirements for products placed on the market with labeling which states or implies they have been produced under organic or bio-dynamic systems.
Accredited certifying organizations apply this Standard as a minimum requirement to all products produced by producers certified under their inspection regimes.
SECTION 3.22 establishes the minimum requirements for produce labeled as BIO-DYNAMIC.
3.22 BIO-DYNAMIC PRODUCTION
Note: The term Bio-dynamic Preparation(s) used in this Section means the natural activators developed according to Steiner's original indications.
General Principles
i. Land management needs to reflect an understanding of the fundamental principles presented in the Agriculture Course; the series of lectures given by Rudolf Steiner to scientists and farmers at Koberwitz, in 1924.
ii. Bio-dynamic practitioners seek to understand and work with the life processes as well as enhance their understanding of the mineral processes used in conventional agriculture. Healthy soil and a healthy atmosphere are a prime basis for healthy plants, animals and people.
iii. Bio-dynamic farming practices do not rely on water soluble fertiliser inputs, although some organic or natural mineral fertiliser may be required on poor soils especially during the establishment phase. While noticeable changes may occur within a year, development of a sustainable soil structure and nutrient cycles may take several years.
iv. The Bio-dynamic Preparations are not fertilisers themselves but greatly assist the fertilising process. As the name suggests, these Preparations are designed to work directly with the dynamic biological processes and cycles which are the basis of soil fertility. As activators of life processes they only need to be used in very small amounts.
v. The Bio-dynamic Preparations activate soil and plants, develop soil structure and enhance the nutrient cycles. Farming practices need to support this process.
vi. The Bio-dynamic Preparations (numbered 500 to 507) are used in conjunction with established agricultural practices such as composting, sheet composting, manuring, crop and pasture rotations, tree planting, the integrated use of livestock and so on.
vii. Preparation 500, and "prepared" 500 (500 with Compost Preparations 502 to 507 added) specifically enlivens the soil, increasing the microflora, root exudation and availability of nutrients and trace elements via humus and not through soil water. 500 promotes root growth, especially the fine root hairs. It develops humus formation, soil structure and water holding capacity.
viii. Preparation 501 enhances the light assimilation of the plant, leading to better fruit and seed development with improved flavour, aroma, colour and nutritional quality.
ix. Compost Preparations (502 to 507) help the dynamic cycles of the macro- and micro-nutrients, via biological processes in the soil and plants and stimulate availability of specific elements.
x. In accordance with the research evidence of Lily Kolisko on the often-dangerous effect of minutest substances (even less than a molecule), materials used for the storage of the Bio-dynamic Preparations, stirring machines, spray tanks etc., need to be carefully considered.
xi. Weeds and pests are useful indicators of imbalances in soil and plants; and the aim in the Bio-dynamic method is to use such indicators in a positive way. Many so-called weeds under Bio-dynamic Management become useful herbage.
xii. Pest and disease control is managed by developing the farm as a total organism. However, Bio-dynamic practitioners may make use of specific products for weed and pest control, which they make from the weeds and pests themselves.
xiii. It is encouraged not to dehorn cattle which belong to breeds that are naturally horned. Keeping horned cattle may require different strategies in animal handling, so as not to cause stress nor inflict injury to the animal.
xiv. Fodder produced on the farm itself forms the basis of animal nutrition. Complete self-sufficiency in fodder is the principle aim.
Standards
3.22.1 For products to carry a label or reference to Bio-dynamic production, products must be produced on a certified Bio-dynamic production unit.
3.22.2 For a production unit to be certified Bio-dynamic, in addition to the other requirements of this Standard: a. 500 and compost preparations must be applied to the whole production area at least once per year.
b. Application of 501 occurs when plants require additional intake of light.
c. Bio-dynamic Compost Preparations 502 -507 are to be used to direct all fermentation processes in liquid manures and composts.
d. Any off-farm inputs, including manures, must go through a Bio-dynamic composting process. Exceptions are: rock and mineral dusts and mulching materials permitted by this Standard.
e. Bio-dynamic Preparations are to be stored in a suitable storage container away from fumes, electricity, contamination sources:
i. 500 and compost preparations are to be stored away from heat and light, in a container using at least 8 centimetres of dry peat for insulation. The storage vessel or peat must not contaminate the preparations.
ii. 501 must be stored in a glass that has access to early morning sunlight.
f. Bio-dynamic Preparations 500 and 501 are to be stirred for one hour.
g. Stirring of Bio-dynamic Preparations shall be organised to achieve an energetic vortex, followed by an immediate reverse action - causing a "bubbling" chaos and reverse vortex - then subsequent reverse chaos and vortex etc for the full hour (Steiner, Pfeiffer).
h. Stirring and spraying equipment must be non-contaminating, clean and dedicated to the purpose of the Bio-dynamic preparations.
3.22.3 Wild harvest cannot be certified Bio-dynamic unless the Bio-dynamic Preparations, as per this standard, have been applied to the areas to be harvested.
3.22.4 Animals are to be born and raised on a Certified Bio-dynamic farm as part of an indigenous herd. Animals brought onto the farm from non Bio-dynamic sources can never be sold as Bio-dynamic.
3.22.5 Certified Bio-dynamic feed must be fed to Bio-dynamic livestock.
|
