In order for wool to be certified as "organic," it must be produced in accordance with federal standards for organic livestock production. Federal requirements for organic livestock production include:
- Livestock feed and forage used from the last third of gestation must be certified organic;
- Use of synthetic hormones and genetic engineering is prohibited;
- Use of synthetic pesticides (internal, external, and on pastures) is prohibited, and
- Producers must encourage livestock health through good cultural and management practices.
Organic livestock management is different from non-organic management in at least two major ways:
- Sheep cannot be dipped in parasiticides (insecticides) to control external parasites such as ticks and lice, and
- Organic livestock producers are required to ensure that they do not exceed the natural carrying capacity of the land on which their animals graze.
REFERENCES:
http://www.ota.com/organic/woolfactsheet.html