The British Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) have amended and extended a derogation for organic poultry and pigs, which currently allows up to 5% non-organic protein in feed.
Though the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales (NFU) welcomes the extension of the derogations, it has urged the government to keep it under close review.
The amendment limits the allowance to young poultry under 30 weeks old and pigs under 35 kg, meaning any animals above these thresholds would need to be fed 100% organic diets.
The current situation
Defra has shared its response to the April 2025 consultation on extending 2 key organic farming derogations for pig and poultry producers. These derogations were due to end on 31 December 2025.
- Feeding up to 5% non-organic protein in pig and poultry diets.
- The use of non-organically reared pullets for egg production up to 18 weeks of age.
What are the new rules?
Defra proposed extending both derogations until 31 December 2026 but limiting the scope of use for the 5% non-organic protein feed.
Following the consultation Defra have confirmed that from 1 January 2026, this derogation will now only apply to:
- young poultry under 30 weeks of age
- piglets under 35 kg.
This means any birds over 30 weeks old and pigs over 35kg must be fed 100% organic diets from the 1 January 2026. The derogation for non-organic pullets up to 18 weeks has been fully extended until 31 December 2026.
Without this derogation, organic poultry production in Great Britain would not be able to effectively operate,”
– the NFU emphasised.
NFU’s concerns and arguments
In its consultation response, the NFU urged Defra to fully extend both derogations.
The union highlighted that allowing up to 5% non-organic protein remains vital for providing balanced diets and protecting animal welfare, since some key ingredients, such as maize gluten cannot currently be sourced from organic ingredients.
The NFU also raised strong concerns about limiting the protein derogation to only young poultry, noting that balanced nutrition is essential throughout a bird’s life, not just in its early stages.
In addition, the NFU emphasised the critical importance of the derogation to use non-organically reared pullets for egg production.
At present, UK organic producers rely almost entirely on non-organically reared pullets, as there are no organic breeding flocks available. Without this derogation, organic poultry production in Great Britain (GB) would not be able to effectively operate.
While the union welcomed the extension of the derogations, it has significant concerns about narrowing the scope of the organic protein feed derogation to poultry younger than 30 weeks. It is urging the government to keep this under close review and be prepared to act quickly if there are any adverse consequences for bird health and welfare.
Alignment with EU standards
It now seems that GB is likely to follow the same organic rules as the EU. At the EU–UK summit in May 2025, both sides agreed that organic standards will be part of the next SPS negotiations, which means GB may adopt the EU’s main organic regulation (2018/848).
At present, EU rules still allow up to 5% non-organic protein in feed until 31 December 2026. Poultry under 30 weeks old can have this 5% allowance, while older birds must be fed 100% organic feed. GB’s recent changes to the 5% non-organic protein rule now put under the same requirements as the EU.
The NFU will continue to press Defra to keep these allowances for as long as they are needed to support organic egg and poultry meat producers in GB.
