II. | IFOAM Basic Standards
the conversion period may not start before the date of the last non-compliant input or practice. For the length of conversion periods, refer to sections 4.2 and 5.2.
3.2
Split Production and Parallel Production
General Principle The whole farm, including livestock, is converted to organic management practices according to the standards over a period of time. Recommendation The operator should convert the whole farm, and the conversion plan should include the steps and approximate timeframe for whole farm conversion. Standards shall require that: 3.2.1 If the whole farm is not converted (split production) the organic and conventional parts of the farm shall be clearly and continuously separated. 3.2.2 Simultaneous production of the same organic and non-organic crops or animal products (parallel production) is only permitted where such production is undertaken in a way that allows clear and continuous separation of all product claimed as certified or certifiable as organic. 3.2.3 Prohibited materials shall be stored in separate locations from those where organic products are handled.
3.3
Maintenance of Organic Management
General Principle Organic production systems require an ongoing commitment to organic production practices. Recommendation The operator should design an organic conversion management plan that includes programs and strategies that will allow the operation to be sustainably maintained as organic. Standards shall require that: 3.3.1. The operator shall demonstrate that a production system does not rely upon continuous switching between organic and conventional management.
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