6.1 Crop Inputs

Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production for the US

The following substances in this section are allowed for use on organic crop products for export to the USA only. They are prohibited for use on organic crop products for export to the EU, unless specifically listed in tables or Sections as per cross references below

Cross references

USDA NOP; 205.601 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production

In accordance with the restrictions specified in this section, the following synthetic substances may be used in organic crop production: Provided, that use of the substances do not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water. Substances  allowed by this section, except disinfectants and sanitizers in paragraph (a) and those substances in paragraph (c), (j), (k), and (l) of this section, may only be used when the provisions set forth in 205.206 9a) and through (d) prove insufficient to prevent or control the target pest:

(a) As algicide, disinfectants, and sanitizer, including irrigation system cleaning systems

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production;
Table 5 Cleaning Aids and Disinfectants Section 4.1

Alcohols
Ethanol
Isopropanol

Chlorine materials- Except, That, residual chlorine levels in the water shall not exceed the maxium residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act
Calcium hypochlorite
Chlorine dioxide

Ozone gas- for use as an irrigation system cleaner only

Peracetic acid- for use in disinfecting equipment, seed, and asexually propagated planting material

Soap-based algicide/demossers

(b) as herbicides, weed barriers, as applicable

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 2 Pesticides
Section 5.6

Herbicides, soap-based  - for use in farmstead maintenance (roadways, ditches, right of ways, building perimeters) and ornamental crops.
Mulches
Newspaper of other recycled paper, with out glossy or coloured inks
Plastic mulch and covers (petroleum-based other than polyvinyl chloride (PVC))

  (c)  As compost feedstock

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 1 Fertiliser and soil Conditioners
Section 4.1

Newspapers or other recycled paper, with out glossy or coloured inks

(d)  As animal repellents

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 2 Pesticides
Section 5.6
Soaps, ammonium- for use as a large animal repellent only, no contact with soil or edible portion of crop.

(e)  As insecticides (including acaricides or mite control)

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 2 Pesticides
Section 5.6

Ammonium carbonate – for use as bait in insect traps only, no direct contact with crop or soil.
Boric acid-structural pest control, no direct contact with organic food or crops
Elemental sulphur
Soaps, insecticidal
Ferric phosphate – for use as a molluscicide to bait slugs and snails

(f)  As rodenticides

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 2 Pesticides
Section 5.7

Sulfur dioxide-underground rodent control only (smoke bombs).
Vitamin D3

 (g)  As Plant disease control

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 2 Pesticides
Section 5.7

Coppers, fixed-copper hydroxide, copper oxide, copper oxychloride, includes products exempted from EPA tolerance, provided, that copper-based materials must be used in a manner that minimizes accumulation in the soil and shall not be used as herbicides.
Copper sulphate- substances must be used in a manner that minimizes accumulation of copper in the soil
Hydrated lime
Hydrogen peroxide
Peracetic acid-for use to control fire blight bacteria
Potassium bicarbonate
Streptomycin, for fire blight control in apples and pears only
Tetacycline (oxytetracycline calcium complex), for fire blight control only.
Clarification on the use of conventional grafting waxes containing petroleum jelly and prohibited fungicides.
With regards to the use of grafting wax containing petroleum jelly and prohibited fungicides, according to NZFSA the plants treated with a prohibited substance will lose organic status.  These plants will have to undergo a 12 month conversion period before products taken can be exported to the US (- rule 205.204 (a) of the US NOS), and a 36 month conversion period before products taken can be exported to the EU (-section 5.1 of the NZFSA Tech Rules). The trees as well as the land would loose organic status if grafting wax is used. There is however the opportunity to explore the use of only petroleum jelly (without fungicides) to assist grafting.

(j) As plant or soil amendments.

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 1 Fertilisers and soil Conditioners
Section 5.3

Aquatic plant extracts (other than hydrolyzed) – Extraction process is limited to the use of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide: solvent amount used is limited to that amount necessary for extraction.
Calcium chloride- only for use as a brine sourced foliar spray  to treat a physiological disorder associated with calcium uptake.
Humic acids- naturally occurring deposits, water and alkali extracts only.
Lignin sulfonate- chelating agent, dust suppressant, floatation agent.
Magnesium sulphate – allowed with a documented soil deficiency.
Micronutrients – not to be used as a defoliant, herbicide, or desiccant. Those made from nitrates or chlorides are not allowed. Soil deficiency must be documented by testing.
Soluble boron products
Sulfates, carbonates, oxides, or silicates of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium , and cobalt.
Liquid fish products – can be pH adjusted with sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid. The amount of acid used shall not exceed the minimum needed to lower the pH to  3.5.
Sodium nitrate- Use must be restricted to 20% of the crops total nitrogen requirement.
Vitamins, B1, C and E

(k)  As plant growth regulators.

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Table 1 Pesticides
Section 5.3
Ethylene gas-for regulation of pineapple flowering.
As floating agent in postharvest handling

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Not covered

Lignin sulfonate
Sodium silicate- for tree fruit and fiber processing
As synthetic inert ingredients as classified by the Environment Protection Agency  (EPA), for the use with non-synthetic substances or synthetic substances listed in this section and used as an active pesticide ingredient in accordance with any limitations on the use of such substances.

Cross references

NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Not covered

EPA List 4-inerts of Minimal Concern; and
EPA List 3- Inerts of unknown toxicity- for use in passive pheromone dispensers.

Both are limited to synthetic inert ingredients as classified y NZFSA-ACVM.ERMA, for  use with non-synthetic substances or synthetic substances listed in this section and used as an active pesticide ingredient in accordance with any limitations on the use of such substances.