Organic agriculture prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilisers. So when consumers find out that organic farmers sometimes use sprays and other “inputs,” they’re understandably confused. Get the full story on how organic farmers deal with pests.
Getting straight on Glyphosate
Many families choose organic to avoid exposure to toxic synthetic chemicals like glyphosate, the chief ingredient in the weed-killer RoundUp. Glyphosate is so ubiquitous in our food, water, and air that it is regularly found in human urine.
Organic not only bans synthetic herbicides like RoundUp – it prohibits the use of hundreds of chemical additives, preservatives, colorings, and more. The key word is “synthetic.” Generally, organic farmers use no synthetic (read: man-made chemical) inputs. However, they are allowed to use natural ones.
But the story is more nuanced than that.
The approved materials list
The US National Organic Standards Board and the National Organic Program maintain a list of materials that are approved for use in organic production.
Once the NOSB and NOP add a material to the national list, third-party organisations like the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) evaluate new products to make sure they’re in compliance.
The general rule for the national list is that naturally occurring materials are allowed, and synthetic materials are prohibited. There are, however, exceptions to that rule.
Synthetic vs. Non-synthetic
Non-synthetic is defined as “a substance that is derived from mineral, plant, or animal matter and does not undergo a synthetic process. Non-synthetic is used as a synonym for natural.”
Synthetic is defined as “a substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources.”
Almost all natural materials are approved for use in organic. Take, for example, neem oil. Neem oil is derived from the seeds of the neem tree. It has been used for hundreds of years to minimise pests and plant diseases. Neem oil is natural and approved for use in organic.
Most synthetics are prohibited in organic – unless there is no naturally occurring alternative. Certain synthetics like copper sulfate have been approved for use in organic for a few reasons:
- No natural alternative exists that can effectively target the same plant diseases.
- Copper was determined safe with restrictions on its use by the USDA before approval.
- Farmers can only use copper once they’ve exhausted all other options.
In these cases, a certifier will work with the farmer to make sure only the minimum amount of the material is applied.
Preference is always given to biological and preventative methods before a synthetic material is introduced, and exposure is always minimised as much as possible.
Dr Andrew Smith, Rodale Institute Chief Scientist says, “Approved substances are naturally derived and quickly degrade by weather …lowering the chance of human exposure. Chemical pesticide formulations and other synthetic materials are manipulated in laboratories and are foreign to the human body, which might see the compounds as intruders.”
The role of biodiversity
For more persistent pest issues, organic farmers utilise strategies like introducing natural predators and beneficial insects, crop rotation, natural pheromones, or mechanical controls like trapping. Broad sprays of non-specific pesticides are always a last resort. Healthy soil, from good farming practices, is always the first line of defense.
As the organic industry booms, more large farms are joining the movement, and those large farms sometimes grow just a single crop for efficiency. Complex ecosystems have more natural defenses than monoculture farms.
Because of this, large farms are more likely – though by no means guaranteed – to use more organic-approved sprays.
If you are concerned about avoiding even organic-approved sprays, do some research on the farms that grow the produce that you and your family enjoy.
What that means for you
- Organic is a surefire way to avoid the most dangerous chemicals on the market, including glyphosate, which has been implicated in human health concerns like cancer.
- Organic-approved inputs are generally natural and safer than conventional and go through a rigorous review process.
- Organic farmers only use inputs as a last resort.
- Organic is about more than pesticides and fertilisers. Organic also prohibits dozens of artificial preservatives and additives.
Source: https://rodaleinstitute.org
