Ecological Farmers Take Issue with Ongoing Campaign by Pesticide Manufacturers
by Ann SlaterNovember 13, 2006
The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) continues to hear from members and organic consumers concerned about the ongoing campaign by CropLife Canada to discredit organic food. CropLife Canada is the trade association of the manufacturers, developers and distributors of pesticides and genetically engineered organisms.
Members of EFAO, both certified organic farmers and ecological farmers, continue to see increasing interest in organically grown food. St. Marys area organic farmer and president of EFAO, Ann Slater, says, "as an organic farmer selling direct to consumers, I see an increasing interest in organically grown food. The organic consumers I meet at farmers' markets are well-informed people concerned about the widespread use of pesticides and the risk of contamination of our water, our air, our soil and our food."
Slater goes on to note, "Pesticide manufacturers seem to be worried about the potential loss of sales opportunities as consumers choose to buy more and more organic food, since organic farmers do not use the products they produce and sell." Although, organic farmers may use pesticides approved under organic standards, these are natural products like diatomaceous earth or bacteria which attack specific organisms like caterpillars. Under organic standards there are guidelines around when such natural pesticides can be used, in terms of the severity of the pest outbreaks and the time until harvest.
Although many consumers believe organic food is more nutritious, Slater says, "I have seen studies suggesting it is more nutritious and I have seen studies suggesting there is no difference. The findings can often depend on who is paying for the research and pesticide manufacturers tend to have more money than organic farmers available to fund research projects."
According to Slater, "If people want to do what they can to protect our environment, they should consider buying organic food because they can be assured that organic farmers are not adding more potentially harmful synthetic chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers to our environment."
The Ecological Farmers Association provides programs to promote the practice of ecological farming methods which maintain and enhance the health of the soil, water, crops, livestock and the diversity of the environment.
For more information contact: Ann Slater, EFAO President, (519) 349-2448
