Stephen,
For leafy greens in the USA the withholding period is greater than 45 days =
before harvest. Thus we look at making application of extracts at least 2-3=
weeks prior to seeding.
We do test each batch of biological input(s) for pathogens prior to applica=
tion if we are going to apply them.
Since I do not use AACT, I have no experience doing pathogen testing on the=
se inputs.
Mike Flynn
Green Quest LLC
BioSpecific LLC
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Steyn" <ssteyn_at_...> wrote:
>
> I believe that NOSB or whoever the authority is in the USA require a
> withholding period of 180 days before harvest for fruiting crops for
> spraying on the plants. Ground application is probably different. I also
> believe that every organic certifier has the option of using their judgem=
ent
> to set a withholding period and that this differs between crops and
> organisations. This seems to make sense.
>
> Go to China and the people who are market gardeners apply their own
> excrement to their crops.
>
> I think there are many variables to be considered, and if you made availa=
ble
> to your customers your policy with regard to this matter, you would soon
> discover their preferences. Personally, I have no wish to eat a crop that
> has been exposed to ACT anywhere near its ripe stage.
>
> I also believe that there are many pathogens that can creep into the
> production process. Currently E. Coli is easily testable and is used as a=
n
> indicator for pathogen presence. If it's not there, then other pathogens =
are
> also probably not present.
>
> SS (Mike's 3 cents plus my hapenny)
>
>
>
> From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of mikethewormguy
> Sent: 31 May 2011 12:27
> To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [compost_tea] Re: food safety and aact
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Tad,
>
> See the following link for what is currently happening today in Germany i=
n
> regard to Ecoli and raw vegetables and death :
>
> http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/05/hamburg-residents-attempt-to-grappl=
e-w
> ith-outbreak/
>
> These types of incidence put all biological based inputs for ag under the
> literal microscope.
>
> Whether you make compost, vermicompost, AACT, and/or extract liquids, fol=
ks
> need to have the systems in place to assure a customer that their inputs =
are
> food safe if they being applied to food crops.
>
> Sorry to say, it is the issue of liability and perceived risk over scienc=
e
> and data, which will have direct bearing on whether growers choose to use
> what biological inputs for their crops.
>
> The grower will need to err on the side of caution since their business
> depends on it.
>
> Mike Flynn
> Green Quest LLC
> BioSpecific LLC
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>=
,
> Tad Hussey <tadhussey_at_> wrote:
> >
> > Mike,
> >
> > Did you see my last post? You were the one who said you'd done the
> testing, not me. All the issues you bring up apply to extracts as well as
> ACT, unless you have some data or proof otherwise.
> >
> > I'd love to have you address my questions in my previous post, I'm not
> here to discuss liability issues in the ag world in regards to biological
> inputs.
> >
> > Tad
> >
>
Received on Tue May 31 2011 - 09:01:04 EDT