Click here for a PDF of the VON Standards
and more information. Stockfree Organic Standards
VON has produced the worlds first set of stockfree (animal free) organic standards. Consumer led, the Stockfree-Organic standards were set up for those wanting high quality, locally available and organically grown food without the use of slaughterhouse by-products or animal manures. Stockfree as a term was introduced in 2000. It is an adaptation of the word 'stockless', used to denote all arable farming. All consumers may be interested in the symbol as it actively promotes local food production and by removing animal inputs presents fewer pathways for pathogens - an ever increasing concern.
The Stockfree-Organic Symbol is available to Soil Association license holders only. Soil Association Certification Ltd. carries out inspections on behalf of Stockfree-Organic Services (SOS), a department within VON.
Commercial growers who apply these standards will be able to obtain certification as stockfree organic growers and hold both the SA and VOT organic symbols, demonstrating that their produce is grown organically and without the use any materials of animal origin.
Recommended practices
The Stockfree-Organic Standards offer an extensive range of recommended and permitted practices, and were devised after canvassing world-wide opinions of over 100 individuals and groups involved in organic growing. The recommended practices include the maintenance of a closed system by improving the use of land, ensuring long-term fertility by including green manure leys in rotations, and reducing losses of fertility from farms, particularly with the use of overwinter green manures. It is possible to increase the amount of soil organic matter without animal manures through the use of composts, green manuring and mulching.
Additional regulations
There are 27 additional regulations above the Soil Association standards, regulating the keeping of animals for food and cruel sports and encouraging compassion towards animals on the holding. The standards further restrict the use of off-farm inputs and practices that may cause environmental problems, such as mono-cropping, peat, coir, plastic mulches, flame weeding. The use of copper substances and products based on animal derivatives is prohibited. The Stockfree-Organic standards encourage pest and disease control with an emphasis on a systems-based approach – in other words, keeping healthy plants that are resistant to diseases, providing habitats for predators, encouraging biodiversity and the use of physical barriers. Biological controls and pesticides – allowed under the Soil Association standards – are restricted.
Further information
The Stockfree-Organic symbol is available to Soil Association licence holders only. Licence holders can display both symbols from the outset after a self-assessment process, backed by a later inspection. The SOS application pack includes a copy of the standards, a comprehensive guide and lists of suitable animal-free products and costs £5. Contact Jenny Hall (SOS) on 01942 621769.
