Some remarks on organic pesticides

The label organic refers to an agricultural practice that does not always tell the whole truth about its methods. The organic label does not mean that the consumer benefits from a product that has never received toxic treatment, as many organic enthusiasts claim.

The absence of pesticides in organic products is often mentioned in the written press, on TV reports and on websites. This is claimed, for example, in an article in the daily newspaper "La Provence" on 26 11 2017 where a journalist claims that "Organic guarantees that meat has not received antibiotics or hormones and that fruit and vegetables have not been treated." (1).

I invite all those who are convinced that organic farming does not use toxic products to consult the "list of phytosanitary products authorised in organic farming on vegetable and strawberry crops" by clicking here.

This list contains some surprising information. For example, it is stated that the toxicity of spinosad is "quite high for beneficials and pollinators"; that for Gliocladium catenulatum J1446 (trade name: Prestop), there are "very few references in terms of efficacy", which is also the case for Bacillus subtilis QST 713, where it is stated that there are "no references in terms of efficacy".

France is not the only European country to have established a list of pesticides approved for use in organic farming. In Germany, the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety has published on its website a list of more than 120 pages of pesticides explicitly authorised for use in organic farming (2), some of which are manufactured by Bayer, which is known to be particularly hated by environmental associations.

Sleight of hand in organic farming.

Generally speaking, any low-risk organic or conventional treatment has low efficacy. This is equivalent to a general principle of pharmacology; the more effective a drug is, the more adverse effects it can have. With the exception of nettle, described in another article, I will not dwell on practices using plant purins and decoctions (horsetail, tansy, elder, wormwood, fern, etc.), which are supposed to replace synthetic pesticides as described in many books or websites dealing with organic farming, but which are in fact veritable powders of perlimpinpin. These preparations have never been validated by serious scientific studies (published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and recognised for their reliability).

Quackery has always existed in agriculture, but it has taken on a new lease of life since the emergence of the various agro-ecology chapels. The powders of perlimpinpin, whose use dates back to antiquity, is to complete the paltry array of pesticides approved for use in organic farming in order to create the illusion that it is possible to replace synthetic pesticides once and for all. Solutions must be found to satisfy the demands of ecologically influenced consumers, even if this means resorting to the dubious remedies of witch doctors.

Organic pesticides; natural products that are not harmless.

Organic farmers, like all farmers, need pesticides to combat pests and diseases. Some pesticides are approved for use in organic farming, such as copper sulphate, which is sold under various formulas and trade names, although its effects on humans and the environment are not harmless. Why is this? Because organic farming is based on an intangible principle: only natural products are used. The distinction between synthetic and natural pesticides is scientifically meaningless. A natural pesticide can be just as toxic as a synthetic pesticide.

Copper sulphate is a natural product found in nature, and its use is therefore permitted in organic farming. However, this toxic pesticide contains copper, which is a heavy metal and not biodegradable. Copper sulphate is widely used in this agricultural sector, particularly on potatoes, tomatoes, courgettes, vines and fruit. However, the effectiveness of copper against certain pests is quite limited. On vines, copper-based products can slow down the progression of black rot, but not eliminate it. The use of copper-based plant protection products was extended by the EU in January 2018. (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/84 of 19 January 2018). Note that France and Sweden voted against, even though there is no alternative to copper for certain organic crops.

Imported organic products containing pesticides authorised abroad.

Other toxic substances are authorised abroad for organic farming, but not in France, such as methyl bromide, nicotine sulphate, rotenone, calcium polysulphide, etc. Each country has its own conception of organic. Importing organic products to meet their growing demand in France does not mean that these products have been grown according to the criteria imposed in France. Furthermore, products that are authorised abroad but prohibited in France can easily be smuggled in via internet sites, or even counterfeited. There are even smuggling networks. For example, 19.4 tonnes of nicotine sulphates declared as calcium cyanamide were discovered by the police in the port of Hamburg (3).

To find out more about the treatments used in organic farming, the links below refer to the best-known pesticides with descriptions of their benefits/risks, available over the counter in garden centres and on websites (other products reserved for professionals are not indicated).

Copper and sulphur compounds

Pyrethrins

Neem oil and spinosade

Some remarks on pesticides registered in organic farming.

Sleight of hand in organic farming.

Organic pesticides; natural products that are not harmless.

Imported organic products containing pesticides authorised abroad.