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Prohibited practices and amendments in organic systems
§205.203(d) of the NOP Standards prohibits burning as a disposal strategy for crop residues produced on the farm except "to suppress the spread of disease or to stimulate seed germination."
In addition, organic producers may not use any fertilizer or composted plant or animal material that contains a synthetic substance not included on the National List of those allowed for use in organic crop production. Sewage sludge (commonly called biosolids) also may not be used.
As mentioned in the "Why organic?" module, the NOP Standards include a set of guidelines governing materials for use in certified organic systems. In general, natural materials are considered "innocent until proven guilty," while synthetic materials are considered "guilty until proven innocent." The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances is a list of exceptions to that rule: allowed synthetic substances and prohibited natural substances.
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Just because a soil amendment uses the word “organic” in the label, don’t assume it’s approved for organic production. The word is not regulated for agronomic products in the same manner that it is for crops, livestock feed and human food. Always check with your certifier. (Photo: TRI)
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