>And the answer to your question is a definite YES, humans have done that to animals, and themselves, for many centuries. It took me less than 3 minutes to find an example of such practices being PERMITTED in organic farming Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia 8.8.2. Allowed 1) Artificial insemination 8.8.3. Regulated 1) Practices such as dehorning and branding and castration which are to be done in the most humane and least stressful manner possible. 2) Teeth clipping only when the sow's teats are injured. Herve -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---