Subject: Pesticides in Organic Farming

From: [email-masked] (Louis Hom)
Date: 7 May 1994 15:33:16 GMT

**I apologize in andvance if this is inappropriately posted here, but it seems
that many alternative health-ers seek to escape pesticides by buying organic
and might be interested in this**

Organic produce has become increasingly popular in recent years, as consumers   have grown more health conscious and environmentally aware.  Many stores and    supermarkets now have large sections devoted to organic fruits and vegetables.

WHAT MAKES PRODUCE "ORGANIC"? 

Contrary to what most people believe, "organic" does *not* automatically mean   "pesticide-free" or "chemical-free".  In fact, under the laws of most states,   organic farmers are allowed to use a wide variety of chemical sprays and powders on their crops.

So what *does* organic mean?  It means that these pesticides, if used, must be  derived from natural sources, not synthetically manufactured.  Also, these      pesticides must be applied using equipment that has not been used to apply any  synthetic materials for the past three years, and the land being planted cannot have been treated with synthetic materials for that period either.  

Most organic farmers (and even some conventional farmers, too) employ mechanicaland cultural tools to help control pests.   These include insect traps, careful crop selection (there are a growing number of disease-resistant varieties), and biological controls (such as predator insects and beneficial microorganisms).

ORGANIC PRODUCE AND PERSONAL HEALTH

When you test synthetic chemicals for their ability to cause cancer, you find   that about half of them are carcinogenic.

Until recently, nobody bothered to look at natural chemicals (such as organic   pesticides), because it was assumed that they posed little risk.  But when the  studies were done, the results were somewhat shocking:  you find that about halfof the natural chemicals studied are carcinogenic as well.

This is a case where everyone (consumers, farmers, researchers) made the same,  dangerous mistake.  We assumed that "natural" chemicals were automatically      better and safer than synthetic materials, and we were wrong. It's important    that we be more prudent in our acceptance of "natural" as being innocuous and   harmless.

ORGANIC PESTICIDES VERSUS SYNTHETIC PESTICIDES

Clearly, the less we impact our environment, the better off we all are.  Organicfarming practices have greatly advanced the use of non-chemical means to controlpests, as mentioned earlier.

Unfortunately, these non-chemical methods do not always provide enough          protection, and it's necessary to use chemical pesticides.  How do organic      pesticides compare with conventional pesticides?

A recent study compared the effectiveness of a rotenone-pyrethrin mixture versusa synthetic pesticide, imidan.  Rotenone and pyrethrin are two common organic   pesticides;  imidan is considered a "soft" synthetic pesticide (i.e., designed  to have a brief lifetime after application, and other traits that minimize      unwanted effects).  It was found that up to 7 applications of the rotenone-     pyrethrin mixture were required to obtain the level of protection provided by 2  applications of imidan.

It seems unlikely that 7 applications of rotenone and pyrethrin are really      better for the environment than 2 applications of imidan, especially when       rotenone is extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic life.

It should be noted, however, that we don't know for certain which system is moreharmful.  This is because we do not look at organic pesticides the same way thatwe look at conventional pesticides.  We don't know how long these organic       pesticides persist in the environment, or the full extent of their effects.     When you look at lists of pesticides allowed in organic agriculture, you find   warnings such as, "Use with caution.  The toxicological effects of [organic     pesticide X] are largely unknow

n," or "Its persistence in the soil is unknown." Again, researchers haven't bothered to study the effects of organic pesticides  because it is assumed that "natural" chemicals are automatically safe. 

WHY HAVEN'T WE HEARD THIS BEFORE?

For obvious reasons, organic farmers have done little, if anything, to dispel   the myth that "organic = chemical/pesticide-free".  They would only stand to    lose business by making such a disclosure.

Pesticide manufacturers have little concern in the matter.  To them, "synthetic pesticides sold" and "organic pesticides sold" are both "pesticides sold".

As for conventional farmers, they are not really in a position to be critical.  It would not be in their interest to draw attention to chemical and pesticide   use.

WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN?

The purpose of this message is not to discourage you from buying organic        produce.

It is only meant to let you know what you are or aren't getting when you make   such a purchase.  Unless you know your grower personally, there is no guarantee that your produce has been grown without pesticides or other chemicals.  It's a point to consider, given the substantially higher cost of organic foods.

There are many choices and decisions that we, as consumers, are asked to make.  Hopefully, this text has provided some new information that you will find       helpful.

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Please feel free to distribute this text as you please.

A hard copy of this message in leaflet form (on recycled paper, of course!) is  available; just send your snail mail address to: [email-masked]
Your comments and questions are welcome.

The study comparing rotenone-pyrethrin and imidan was performed by J. Kovach of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York.

The data describing the carcinogenicity of natural and synthetic compounds are  referenced in Gold, L.S., et al. (1992) _Science_ Vol. 258, pp. 261-265.

Many thanks go to the Organic Crop Improvement Association for their cooperation in this study.  The OCIA has chapters in AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, IL, IN,IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, PA, SD, UT, and WI.  Thanks are also       extended to the California Certified Organic Farmers, the Ohio Ecological Food  and Farm Association, and Oregon Tilth Certified Organic.  (The appropriate     information has not yet been obtained from the Natural Organic Farmers          Association (NOFA), but it is a

lmost certain that all facts stated here apply to their certified products as well.)  The following  state Departments of        Agriculture have also   been very helpful:  AL, AK, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, IA, LA, MD, MI, ND, OK, TN, VA, and WA. States with no laws governing organic products  include Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, and Tennessee. 
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*   Lou Hom			*	"All folks are family."            *
*   [email-masked]       *    			-- John Saponara   * 
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