Are you a farmer and looking for help with pest issues? Check out our Certification Support Resources.
By purchasing organic products, consumers help reduce the amount of pesticides used in agriculture. Certified organic agricultural operations do not use the toxic synthetic pesticides commonly used on conventional farms. As a result, pesticide residues are seldom detected on organic foods. Additionally, organic farming doesn’t contribute to degradation of soils, water, and air caused by synthetic pesticides. Organic farmers use a systems approach to pest control that relies on crop rotation and cultural controls such as sanitation, creating habitat for beneficial insects, building soil quality to increase plants’ innate pest resistance and, only when absolutely necessary, applying pesticide products approved for use in organic agriculture.
Yes, most modern farmers use pesticides to prevent crop damage and loss from insect pests and plant diseases. Organic farmers are only allowed to use biological or botanical pesticides such as neem- and citrus-based materials, and synthetic materials included on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. Materials on the National List are evaluated by the National Organic Standards Board, which recommends addition and removal of materials based on criteria including lack of a natural alternative; no adverse impacts on the environment during the material’s manufacture, use, or disposal; and the material not contributing to contamination of crops, soil, or water. For more information on the National List process, see the National Organic Program and National Organic Standards Board page.
In a world addicted to agrochemicals, pesticide drift is a serious concern shared by all CCOF-certified growers. CCOF addresses the issue of potential pesticide drift by requiring clearly defined buffers and boundaries between organic and non-organic farms. CCOF-certified clients should inform CCOF as soon as possible of any suspected or actual pesticide drift or direct spraying on CCOF-certified parcels.