Norm MAPA No. 46 establishing Technical Regulation for organic systems used for Animal and Plant Production.

This Norm, consisting of 4 Titles and 7 Annexes, divided in 119 articles, establishes the Technical Regulation for organic systems used for Animal and Plant Production. It also lays down the list of allowed substances to be used in organic systems for Animal and plant production (detailed from Annex I to VII). Art. 4 specifies that organic systems of production should aim at: taking care of the conservation of permanent protected areas; reducing the action of mankind works on natural ecosystems; protection, conservation and rational use of natural resources; improving animal and plant biodiversity and rehabilitation of degraded areas.
In particular, it establishes the following aspects to comply with. Regarding environmental aspects, organic production systems must seek: I - maintenance of permanent preservation areas; II - attenuation of human pressure on natural and modified ecosystems; III - protection, conservation and rational use of natural resources; IV - increase in animal and plant biodiversity; and V - regeneration of degraded areas. The economic activities of organic production systems should seek to: I - genetic improvement, aiming at adaptability to local environmental conditions; II - maintenance and recovery of local, traditional or endemic varieties, threatened by genetic erosion; III - promotion and maintenance of the balance of the production system as a strategy to promote and maintain the health of animals and plants; IV - interaction of animal and plant production; V - valorization of cultural aspects and the regionalization of production; and VI - promote animal health through primarily preventive strategies. As for the social aspects, organic production systems should seek to: I - labor relations based on social rights determined by the Federal Constitution; II - improve the quality of life of the agents involved in the entire organic production network; and III - continuous training of agents involved in the organic production network. Organic aquaculture must comply with the specific Technical Standards for Organic Aquaculture Production Systems.