Under The Organic Production (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1111), the derogation allowing up to 5% non-organic protein feed for pigs and poultry is extended only until 31 December 2026, and its scope is limited to piglets of no more than 35kg and poultry of no more than 30 weeks of age. This means any birds that are more than 30 weeks old and pigs weighing more than 35kg must be fed 100% organic diets from 1 January 2026
Following NFU lobbying, we understand Defra is working with certification bodies to support producers in complying with the amended derogation from 1 January 2026.
Any NFU members who have concerns can contact their organic certification body or NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.
The current situation
Defra has shared its response to the April 2025 consultation on extending two 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 that are more than 30 weeks old and pigs that weigh more than 35kg must be fed 100% organic diets from 1 January 2026.
The derogation for non-organic pullets up to 18 weeks has been fully extended until 31 December 2026.
The NFU response
In our consultation response, the NFU urged Defra to fully extend both derogations.
We 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 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 GB would not be able to effectively operate.
While we welcome the extension of the derogations the NFU has significant concerns about narrowing the scope of the organic protein feed derogation to poultry younger than 30 weeks. We urge 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.
It has now been confirmed GB will dynamically align with EU organic regulations, which means that Great Britain will adopt the EU's main organic regulation (2018/848).
At the moment, 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 us 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 and ensure the derogation for non-organic pullets up to 18 weeks is fully extended under the SPS agreement.
