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Best Practices for Pesticide Use in Organic Crop Production

theodore89
Oct 28, 20242 min read

Updated: Nov 1, 2024



Organic farming operates under strict regulations regarding pesticide use, with a focus on preventative measures and limited use of approved substances. The National Organic Program (NOP) establishes guidelines for pesticide use in organic agriculture, categorizing substances and providing specific restrictions for their application.

NOP Categories and Restrictions

The NOP categorizes substances into several lists, with all compliant pesticides allowed only with restrictions:

 

Nonsynthetic Substances Allowed for Use in Organic Crop Production

Natural substances are generally allowed unless specifically prohibited. Examples include neem oil, pyrethrin, and diatomaceous earth.Restrictions often involve timing of application, target pests, and environmental considerations.

 

Synthetic Substa



nces Allowed for Use in Organic Crop Production

These substances are permitted only if specifically listed in the National List. Examples include copper sulfate, hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid. Restrictions may include limits on quantity, frequency of use, or specific conditions for application.

 

Examples of Prohibited Inputs

  1. Several substances are explicitly prohibited in organic agriculture due to their potential risks to human health or the environment:

  2. Synthetic pesticides not listed on the National List.

  3. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their derivatives.

  4. Sewage sludge as fertilizer.

  5. Ionizing radiation for pest control or food preservation.

  6. Arsenic and nicotine sulfate, due to their high toxicity.

  7. Rotenone, which was removed from the approved list in January 2019 due to. environmental concerns.

  8. Strychnine, lead, and mined cryolite (sodium fluoroaluminate).

 

Application of Organic-Compliant Pesticides

  1. All organic-compliant pesticides are considered “restricted” and may only be used after other approaches have failed. Organic farmers must:

  2. Implement preventative measures first, such as crop rotation, biological diversity, and proper sanitation.

  3. Document the need for pesticide use and obtain approval from their certifying agent.

  4. Use pesticides in accordance with their labels, including proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and following Re-entry Intervals (REI).

  5. Mitigate potential environmental hazards, such as avoiding pollinator exposure to certain pesticides.

 

Oversight and Compliance

The USDA’s National Organic Program, in conjunction with the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), regularly reviews and updates the list of approved substances. Third-party organizations like the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) evaluate products to ensure compliance with organic standards.

 

Organic farming aims to minimize pesticide use through ecological management practices. While not entirely “pesticide-free,” certified organic farms are designed and inspected to significantly reduce reliance on agricultural pesticides compared to conventional farming methods




 
 
 

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