Earlier this year, the National Organic Program published a final rule renewing over 200 listings on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances that were scheduled to expire this year. The rule also made changes to the substances listed below. CCOF has contacted affected clients directly; however, if you use any of the materials listed below and have additional questions, please contact us.
Crop Production Materials
(National List section 205.601)
Chlorine Materials u2013 Effective June 27, 2012: For preharvest use, residual chlorine levels in the water in direct crop contact, or as water from cleaning irrigation systems applied to soil must not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act (4ppm). Chlorine products may be used in edible sprout production according to EPA label directions.
Lignin Sulfonate u2013 Effective June 27, 2012: Duplicate listing removed. Remains approved as both a soil amendment (chelating, dust suppressant) and as a postharvest floating agent.
Streptomycin & Tetracycline u2013 Effective June 27 and August 3, 2012, respectively: Allowance to control infections in organic apple and pear orchards has been extended until October 21, 2014.
Sulfur Dioxide u2013 Effective October 21, 2012: Sulfur dioxide (smoke bombs) will no longer be allowed for rodent control in organic crop production. The only synthetic rodenticide allowed after October 21, 2012, is vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
Livestock Production Materials
(National List section 205.603)
Formic Acid u2013 Effective August 3, 2012: Apiculture operations may use formic acid as a pesticide solely within honeybee hives.
Processor/Handler Materials
(National List sections 205.605, 205.606)
Lecithin u2013 Effective March 15, 2012: You must use organic lecithin in your organic products. Non-organic lecithin may be used if organic lecithin is not commercially available.
Colors u2013 Effective June 27, 2012: You must use organic colors in your organic products. Non-organic colors produced without synthetic solvents and carrier systems, and without any artificial preservatives, may be used if organic colors are not commercially available.
Pectin u2013 Effective June 27, 2012: You must use organic pectin in your organic products. Non amidated, non-organic pectin may be used if organic pectin is not commercially available.
Yeast u2013 Effective October 21, 2012: You must use organic yeast in your organic products. Non-organic yeast may be used if organic yeast is not commercially available. (This listing does NOT require the use of organic yeast for livestock feed.)
Attapulgite u2013 Effective August 3, 2012: You may use nonsynthetic attapulgite as a processing aid for purification of plant and animal oils.
Hops u2013 Beginning January 1, 2013: You must use organic hops in your organic products. After January 1, 2013, you may not use non-organic hops in any organic product, such as beer.