Standards for Production Control

This section of the Standards is established pending new data on any particular substance's toxicity or carcinogenicity.  All materials applied will follow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state and local government regulations including those governing procurement, storage, application and disposal.  ANY USE OF REGULATED PRACTICES MUST BE REPORTED ON THE ANNUAL FIELD LOG FORM.  Every organic farmer must develop and implement plans to restrict and control pests, including weeds, insects, diseases, fungi and animals.  A diversity of strategies for prevention and control of pests is recognized as one of the best defenses against economic loss.  Proper monitoring is necessary to assess and control pests.  The use of the control with the lowest ecological profile is recommended. All growers are urged to read and follow label instructions carefully.  The labels have important information regarding safety, rates of application, “days to harvest” restrictions, tank mixing of materials, and permitted crops.   Approval of a material for use in organic production does not supercede or override any other regulatory or legal requirement governing its use.

1. Weed Control

a.  APPROVED:

1. cropping practices, such as adjusted planting dates, cover crops, crop rotation, soaked seed, proper fertilization rates and timing, crop spacing and bed preparation (e.g. stale seedbed)
2.  mechanical cultivation, mowing and grazing
3.  natural, non-living or non-competitive mulches
4.  natural oils (vegetable), natural acids (vinegar), and microbial weed killers
5.  introduction of bio-control agents
6.  biodynamic preparations not using any regulated or prohibited substances

b.  REGULATED:

1. plastic mulch: All plastic mulch must be removed at end of growing season.
2. salt on asparagus
3. electrical weeding
4. flame weeding with propane

c.  PROHIBITED:

1. all synthetically compounded and petroleum distillate herbicides, including amino acid herbicides
2. synthetic growth regulators
3. petroleum oils
4. micro-nutrients at toxic rates (i.e. boron salts in beets)
5. materials with high levels of heavy metals and other toxic substances (e.g. tar paper)
6. photo-degradable plastic mulch
7. bio-degradable plastic mulch

2. Insect, Nematode, Mite and Animal Control

a.  APPROVED:

1. providing habitat for natural predators and parasites
2.  introduction of beneficial insects, nematodes and micro-organisms
3.  hand or mechanical removal
4.  botanical insecticides of low toxicity and "species" specific effect
5. ryania, applied up to 5 days to harvest
6.  mild, herbal preparations (i.e. equisetum, biodynamic preps)
7. botanical repellents (i.e. cayenne, garlic)
8. cropping practices such as rotations, intercropping, trap cropping, cover cropping, proper timing, and companion planting
9. commercial or homemade insecticidal soaps
10.  trapping to control mammals and birds using any LEGAL trap 
11. shooting of mammals and birds
12. physical barriers such as fences, netting and row covers
13. trapping (sexual, visual and physical) utilizing synthetic hormones in traps
14. dormant or summer oils made from vegetable or animal sources.

b.  REGULATED:

All regulated substances may be applied no less than 5 days prior to harvest unless specifically noted.  While treatment may be applied to individual plants, spray drift must be carefully observed.  Any plant affected must meet any labeled "days to harvest" regulation.

Many commercial botanical formulations have synthetic insecticides in them, so read the label carefully, since these formulations are prohibited. The Materials list at the end of these Standards should be consulted to verify that a brand name material has been reviewed and found acceptable.  Materials review includes examination of inert ingredients so care should be exercised when selecting a specific product for use.

1.) botanicals

a).    rotenone dusts, 1% and 5%
b).    sabadilla
c).    citrus oil
d).    hellebore (ground root)
e).    rodenticides: botanical: red squill, crimidine; vitamin D 3, commercial or homemade
f).      pyrethrum
g).    neem

2.)     biological insecticides and biological control agents to obtain bacterial, viral, and hormonal extracts for control, dispersal, or attractants (i.e. Bacillus sp.) one day to harvest

3.)    petroleum based oils, allowed on woody plants only, for dormant and summer pest control

4.)    diatomaceous earth

5.)     Insect extracts (grinding up of insects for use as a spray)

6.)    Petroleum distillates: restricted to those as allowed by NOSB standards for organic production. Aromatic petroleum solvents including (but not limited to) benzene, naphthalene, toluene, and xylene are prohibited. Allowed for use in organic production as suffocating or stylet oils on foliage and as inert ingredients. May be applied to dormant perennials. Direct application to harvested crop is prohibited. Land covered with petroleum derived pavement and road oils cannot be certified organic for 3 years following application.

c.  PROHIBITED Insect Nematode, Mite and Animal Control

1.)    synthetic insecticides, miticides, acaricides, rodenticides, molluscacides, ovicides, and avicides

2.)    natural mineral poisons which are environmentally persistent such as arsenic and lead

3.)    botanical insecticides ruled highly toxic, carcinogenic, and unsafe

a).    nicotine
b).    tobacco dust
c).    sassafras oil, oil of citronella
d).    naphthalene flakes, mothballs etc.
e).    other toxic and carcinogenic substances once commonly used: e.g. soot, creosote, gasoline, kerosene, tar and asphalt

3. Fungi, Bacteria, Virus, and Disease Control

a.   APPROVED:

1.  cropping practices to reduce disease incidence: sanitation, rotations, fertilization rates, use of "certified disease free" seeds and propagules, use of resistant and immune varieties
2.  control of insect and weed vectors of disease
3.  adjusting the environment - ventilation, humidity and temperature
4.  antagonistic fungi, bacteria and other biological control agents
5.  herbal sprays - equisetum tea, garlic and biodynamic sprays
6.  autoclaving or dry heat
7.  composting to reach 160°F (maintained and managed)
8.  ethanol (70% preferred because of effectiveness) to disinfect benches, pots, and tools.  Also denatured and isopropyl alcohol.
9.  Seed treatments: hot water treatment, kelp treatments

b. REGULATED Fungi, Bacteria, Virus and Disease Control

1. elemental sulphur - dusts and liquid preparation
2. copper compounds (Note: caution should be used to prevent build up of copper in soils)
3. copper sulfate
4. Bordeaux mixes (copper sulfate, lime and oil) c).    fixed copper compounds: i) copper carbonate ii) tribasic copper sulfate iii) cuprous hydroxide
5.     chlorine bleach as a disinfectant for pots, flats, benches, tools and other equipment (see materials list).
6.  hydrogen peroxide
7.  waterglass - potassium or sodium silicates
8.  lime sulfur (calcium polysulfide)
9. Chlorine treatment of seeds: Seeds must be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water before planting.  Chlorine treatment must follow an accepted protocol such as that established by Rutgers Cooperative Extension and be approved by the NOFA-NJ technical staff.

c. PROHIBITED Fungi, Bacteria Virus and Disease Control:

1. all synthetic fungicides, fumigants, sterilants, bactericides and antibiotic sprays
2. Chlorine applied to crops is prohibited in concentrations greater than the maximum residual disinfection limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act (4 PPM as Cl₂).

4. Pesticide Safety

All personnel involved in the application of natural or synthetic pesticides must carry the required state and federal licenses to apply pesticides, including those allowed for use in organic production.  Applicators are encouraged to take a pesticide safety course.  While certain natural pesticides may be less harmful than synthetic pesticides it is important to understand the safe use and handling of any pesticide and application equipment.  The Certification Board can provide you with information if requested.

5. Spray Adjuvants, Surfactants, Wetting Agents and Spreader/Stickers

We recognize the need for further research on these substances and their role in organic agriculture.  ANY USE OF REGULATED PRACTICES MUST BE REPORTED ON THE ANNUAL FIELD LOG FORM.

a.  APPROVED:

1. soaps consisting of fatty acids derived from animal or vegetable oils.  May also be used for insecticidal and herbicidal use. May also be used as a disinfectant for livestock.
2.  vinegar, food grade acids as pH adjusters

b.  REGULATED Spray Adjuvants:

1. glycerol
2. soaps with sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate or sodium carbonate as water softeners and pH modifiers
3. substances derived from natural resins and latex (e.g.. Wiltpruf, Vaporgard) that are not known carcinogens

c.  PROHIBITED Spray Adjuvants:

1. petroleum distillates, since other non- petroleum products are available.

6. Equipment

Whenever possible, equipment should be dedicated to organic use. Equipment must be maintained in a manner that prevents contamination of soil or crops.  All purchased used equipment (including harvest containers and boxes) and all shared, dual-use, leased or hired equipment shall be cleaned prior to use in organic production using an approved method.  The NOFA-NJ office can provide details of acceptable cleaning and clean-out procedures.

One time conversion of spray equipment from prohibited substances will be allowed.  Dual use of spray equipment is PROHIBITED.  Proper cleaning and maintenance of spray equipment is essential.  The NOFA-NJ office has information on recommended procedures.

7. Treated Lumber

Wood treated with pentachlorophenol, creosote, or copper chromium aresenate (CCA) cannot be used when it will be in contact with food or soil used in food production. Treated fence posts may be used as long as a distance of at least five feet is maintained between posts and crops intended for human food.  Treated posts may be used for livestock pasture.  Pre-existing installations must be documented at time of certification application.