Pests & Pesticides

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 that are common in conventional farms. Organic agriculture applies a systems approach to pest control by utilizing a number of approaches including introduction of beneficial insects, building up the soil to increase a plant’s pest resistance and when absolutely necessary the application of pesticide products approved for use in organic agriculture.

Pesticide Drift

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. 

CCOF at Work

CCOF supports efforts to prevent the introduction of invasive pests into California. Unfortunately, with an increasingly global society, invasive pests like the light brown apple moth (LBAM) are finding their way into the state often threatening the livelihoods of local farmers, California native plants and species and the overall environment. For more information on LBAM or other invasive pests, visit the CDFA or your own state department of agriculture.

CCOF advocates against large-scale pesticide spraying to eliminate native or invasive pests. We believe such approaches are often questionable and can cause more problems than they set out to correct. Any proposals to address pests through large-scale pesticide spraying should be assessed through an open, transparent and public process which takes into consideration environmental and human health implications.

Are you a farmer and looking for help with pest issues? Check out our Certification Support Resources.

Are you a CCOF operation facing a mandatory treatment situation? Check out our Emergency Pest or Disease Treatments page.