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Thousands of tons of organic vegetables sold in British shops this year were produced using toxic chemical pesticides, it emerged yesterday.
Many shoppers - who pay premium prices for "naturally" grown veg - are unaware that any chemicals are allowed on any organic produce.
Under Soil Association rules, a small number of sprays are permitted.
But yesterday it emerged that increasing numbers of potato farmers have been asking for special permission to use large amounts of copper fungicide over the summer and autumn.
According to new figures, a third of UK organic potato farmers were given permission to spray crops with fungicides made with copper - a heavy metal that can cause liver disease.
The pesticide is one of a handful approved by the Soil Association - the charity that certifies and promotes organic food.
The association's website describes it as toxic, while the EU is planning to ban it in the next few years following concerns about its health effects.
Farmers were forced to resort to chemical sprays after one of the worst summers on record for potato blight - the disease that caused the 19th century Irish famine.
The Soil Association said 30 per cent of its growers had applied for special permission to use the fungicide while industry sources said organic farmers had bought "close to record" amounts over the summer.
Professor Tony Trewavas, an Edinburgh University plant scientist and critic of organic food, said copper compounds were 1,000 times more toxic than fungicides used on non-organic potatoes.
Full Story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?
in_article_id=505427&in_page_id=1770
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Breaking Organic Scandal in the UK: Thousands of Tons of Organic Food Produced Using Toxic Chemicals
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Thousands of Tons of Organic Food Produced Using Toxic Chemicals
By DAVID DERBYSHIRE
Daily Mail, UK, January 1, 2008
Straight to the Source
Comments
diana
Jan 2 2008, 07:53 PM
Potatoes have issues right now, so farmers need to be encouraged and even helped to grow alternative foods. Isn't that how the sustainable end of permaculture and organics is supposed to work? Every low-carb diabetic knows there's a wonderful alternative to potatoes (and, if grated, even to rice): cauliflower. But beyond low-carbing, which we might just find is a better way to health for most of us but is currently unproved, we still need to find ways around pesticide use in the case of mass pest infestations. Using pesticides and still selling foods as organic is lying in commerce, something that is not only illegal but terribly immoral!
Anonymous
Jan 2 2008, 07:58 PM
This is largely spin. The Daily Mail is one of the more right-wing of the British mainstream papers so it's hardly surprising to see them publishing such anti-organic propaganda, although more centrist papers occasionally do also.
For more information on Trewavas and his anti-organic crusade see
http://ngin.tripod.com/trewavas.htm
For more information on Trewavas and his anti-organic crusade see
http://ngin.tripod.com/trewavas.htm
Bio Girl
Jan 2 2008, 08:10 PM
I think people who eat food labeled as 'organic' should be able to enjoy their food knowing that it was grown organically. I don't think the problem is only in UK. There are probably numerous companies in the US that don't do things properly. Either because they want to make a better profit or because they don't know how to handle a problem without the use of synthetic chemicals. It is scary. I wish there was an easy way to weed out the bad companies.
diana
Jan 2 2008, 08:44 PM
QUOTE (Anonymous @ Jan 2 2008, 07:58 PM) 
This is largely spin. The Daily Mail is one of the more right-wing of the British mainstream papers so it's hardly surprising to see them publishing such anti-organic propaganda, although more centrist papers occasionally do also.
For more information on Trewavas and his anti-organic crusade see
http://ngin.tripod.com/trewavas.htm
For more information on Trewavas and his anti-organic crusade see
http://ngin.tripod.com/trewavas.htm
Maybe I'm too trusting (it was on OCA's home page, so I figured they'd proofed it). OTOH, the debunking is from 2000 and 2001. Given that it's now 2008, that's a lot of time elapsed. Not that tigers change their stripes, but what someone did eight years ago isn't always totally relevant to today's illegalities and such.
That, and the Wal-Martization of organics in the US, makes me think we need to be vigilant, and not too trusting of the *labels* that even we love. --d
ladycat
Jan 2 2008, 10:04 PM
QUOTE (Bio Girl @ Jan 2 2008, 03:10 PM)
I think people who eat food labeled as 'organic' should be able to enjoy their food knowing that it was grown organically. I don't think the problem is only in UK. There are probably numerous companies in the US that don't do things properly.
I research brands. I buy brands produced by small family farms/companies whenever possible. In the course of my research, I google them for reviews, I email them directly with questions, etc. When I am satisfied that I am not supporting a conglomerate, and that the product is being produced ethically and sustainably, then I will buy it.
Anyone can do their own research, but few people bother. Most people don't even know they should.
--------------------
ecoalex
Jan 3 2008, 05:05 PM
I was surprised by this. I use a fixed copper fungicide;MicroCop from Lilly Miller.Peaceful Valley Farm Supply sells it, an organic supplier, yet it is not OMRI approved!I will have to look for another fungicide for my peaches.It is not sprayed on the fruit,it is a dormant spray, but not OMRI listed ok.I would think it would be ok as it isn't on the fruit.Other fungicides,; neem, baking soda work in season, but I'm looking for an approved dormant spray, any ideers? Thanks
nicko
Jan 27 2008, 04:15 AM
I guess we are going to be getting a lot more of this sort of drivel over the next few years as agchem companies and right wing rags start wheeling out mccarthy era serial pests (pls excuse the pun) like our esteemed prof. The parallels with the climate change debate are obvious except that the chemical/drug companies are likely to be a whole lot meaner,cleverer and proctive than their fossil fuel industry buddies....food IS going to be a big issue as things warm up and its amazing how business hasnt yet worked out that organics is good for the world economy.
Copper toxic??... so is oxygen at 100% concentration.
Copper toxic??... so is oxygen at 100% concentration.
Ohiorganic
Jan 29 2008, 11:17 AM
QUOTE (ecoalex @ Jan 3 2008, 01:05 PM)
I was surprised by this. I use a fixed copper fungicide;MicroCop from Lilly Miller.Peaceful Valley Farm Supply sells it, an organic supplier, yet it is not OMRI approved!I will have to look for another fungicide for my peaches.It is not sprayed on the fruit,it is a dormant spray, but not OMRI listed ok.I would think it would be ok as it isn't on the fruit.Other fungicides,; neem, baking soda work in season, but I'm looking for an approved dormant spray, any ideers? Thanks
Copper fungicide is not a dormant oil, it is a fungicide. They are different, though the two are often applied at the same time on fruit trees. We use Sunspray, a light dormant oil that i believe is OMRI approved.
For fungicide we use either milk and water or grapefruit seed extract in water. Between those two we have almost zero fungal problems in our market garden.
Organic Influenc...
Jan 29 2008, 03:55 PM
I feel that if someone chooses to make a decision to eat organic they should be free from the concern that their food may have come in contact with dangerous chemicals. In our society, corporations are mainly concenred with the bottom line, not the people or end users of their products. I agree that we should be doing our shopping from small local growers rather than big companies.
-Mike
Mike@OrganicInfluence.com
OrganicDiscussion.com
-Mike
Mike@OrganicInfluence.com
OrganicDiscussion.com
diana
Jan 29 2008, 07:55 PM
In the US corporations are mandated to consider the wishes of their stockholders foremost. There is no 'mainly' to it. We are incredibly backward in our emphasis, since money means nothing where there is no health.
Has anyone read David Korten's 2006 book, The Great Turning? Unless we lose power, I'll be reading it tonight in the blizzard by lamplight. Without power, I might sacrifice an oil lamp for a while to read. --d
Has anyone read David Korten's 2006 book, The Great Turning? Unless we lose power, I'll be reading it tonight in the blizzard by lamplight. Without power, I might sacrifice an oil lamp for a while to read. --d
OrganicGeorge
Feb 5 2008, 11:17 PM
QUOTE (diana @ Jan 29 2008, 12:55 PM)
In the US corporations are mandated to consider the wishes of their stockholders foremost. There is no 'mainly' to it. We are incredibly backward in our emphasis, since money means nothing where there is no health.
Has anyone read David Korten's 2006 book, The Great Turning? Unless we lose power, I'll be reading it tonight in the blizzard by lamplight. Without power, I might sacrifice an oil lamp for a while to read. --d
Has anyone read David Korten's 2006 book, The Great Turning? Unless we lose power, I'll be reading it tonight in the blizzard by lamplight. Without power, I might sacrifice an oil lamp for a while to read. --d
If you want the definitive work on corporations read the works of Joesph Schumpeter and Austrian economist from the 40's.
He laid out the argument for and against corporations very succinctly. He was also coined the phrase "Creative Destructionism" which described how advances in a market will lead to the demise of an old paradigm.
I personally view organics as the creative force that will lead to the demise of chemical AG.
diana
Feb 6 2008, 01:04 AM
QUOTE
Over time, profits draw competitors into the market. Still somewhat radical even today, textbooks do a poor job of conveying the dynamism of capitalism.
From: http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2007/10/m...w_on_schum.html
Would be interesting if we actually had a capitalist case study from which to draw. Free-marketeering, whereby governments steal access to privatizing other governments' prgorams ... that isn't capitalism, nor is the system of corporate welfare that subsidizes what we, the people, really don't want.
I still think that participatory democracy, and not us waiting for any market adjustment to happen on its own, will be the deciding factor. Wouldn't mind if you were right; it'd sure make my life easier! But I suspect I will have to work, participate, get out there and all that.
Naw, if you want the definitive work on corporations, read Korten's The Post-Corporate World: Life After Capitalism.
--d
OrganicGeorge
Feb 6 2008, 01:42 AM
QUOTE (diana @ Feb 5 2008, 06:04 PM)
From: http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2007/10/m...w_on_schum.html
Would be interesting if we actually had a capitalist case study from which to draw. Free-marketeering, whereby governments steal access to privatizing other governments' prgorams ... that isn't capitalism, nor is the system of corporate welfare that subsidizes what we, the people, really don't want.
I still think that participatory democracy, and not us waiting for any market adjustment to happen on its own, will be the deciding factor. Wouldn't mind if you were right; it'd sure make my life easier! But I suspect I will have to work, participate, get out there and all that.
Naw, if you want the definitive work on corporations, read Korten's The Post-Corporate World: Life After Capitalism. :) --d
Would be interesting if we actually had a capitalist case study from which to draw. Free-marketeering, whereby governments steal access to privatizing other governments' prgorams ... that isn't capitalism, nor is the system of corporate welfare that subsidizes what we, the people, really don't want.
I still think that participatory democracy, and not us waiting for any market adjustment to happen on its own, will be the deciding factor. Wouldn't mind if you were right; it'd sure make my life easier! But I suspect I will have to work, participate, get out there and all that.
Naw, if you want the definitive work on corporations, read Korten's The Post-Corporate World: Life After Capitalism. :) --d
I will give it a try after I finish The Shock Doctrine "the rise of disaster capitalism" by Naomi Klein
Every read The Confessions of a Corporate Hit Man great stuff about the world bank helping corporations rape developing countries.
diana
Feb 6 2008, 01:55 AM
QUOTE (OrganicGeorge @ Feb 6 2008, 01:42 AM)
I will give it a try after I finish The Shock Doctrine "the rise of disaster capitalism" by Naomi Klein
Every read The Confessions of a Corporate Hit Man great stuff about the world bank helping corporations rape developing countries.
Every read The Confessions of a Corporate Hit Man great stuff about the world bank helping corporations rape developing countries.
You're reading Klein??? Cool! Love her book! And, yes, I read Hit Man. Excellent read! OK, we're reading the same stuff. We should do a book discussion, huh? Let me know what you think of Klein. Loaned that book to a friend, but I can remember a lot of it. She is brilliant. --d
OrganicGeorge
Feb 6 2008, 02:07 AM
QUOTE (diana @ Feb 5 2008, 06:55 PM)
You're reading Klein??? Cool! Love her book! And, yes, I read Hit Man. Excellent read! OK, we're reading the same stuff. We should do a book discussion, huh? Let me know what you think of Klein. Loaned that book to a friend, but I can remember a lot of it. She is brilliant. --d
I've just got the book so it will be a while before I can speak to her work.
Do see if you can find some Schumpeter, not an easy reading but the guy understood the realites of the market, good and bad.
Unfortunately most of my reading has to do with the new Biodynamic Deminter Trade Association, I'm on the board and we are working to lauch the trade association shortly.
I belive that small organic farmers will have an opportunity to recapture the premiums they lost in organics.
Retailers had told us they are interested in BD products since the volume is not big enough for the mass marketers so they will not have competition in the market palce.
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