PHOSPHONATE is listed as PPP in n Germany and Austria it is listed as plant
strengthener, and used in organic farming with limitation in certain years. It is not allowed for use
in organic in other countries. In USA it is registered in as PPP (31 brand name products) but
forbidden in organic due to its synthetic origin; the same in Australia (with 8 brand name products
registered) but not allowed in organic
German perspective
Used in organic: yes
Legal framework
2 products containing are available on the market: "Frutogard" and "Alginure BioSchutz"
(indentical material, two different brand name products). They are listed as 'plant strengtheners', a
cathegory provided in the German Plant Protection Law. There was a case at the court last year:
The relevant plant protection authority had considered the phosphonates as plant protection
agents and not as a strengthener. But the court decided (more or less on formal reasons, not based
on scientific evaluation) that the products must remain on the Plant Strengthener List.
Formally all "Plant Strengtheners" can be used in organic production in Germany, they must not be
listed in App II of 889/2008 (confirmed in the late 90th by the former EU Commissioner Fischler).
Even if phosphonates are used and researched on since more than 20 years their acceptance in the
organic sector is still debated. About its nature, efficacy and need there is consensual evaluation
but concerning the aspect of residues risk and its mode of action some doubts are expressed:
• phosphonate leave residues on fruit (and soil?). They can be handled by application
strategies but thy still can be a risk;
• the analytical methods to detect phosphonate residues and differentiate their origin are
still developing;
• the mode of action is somehow systemic and as such different from all other products so
far used in organic.
So the difficult decision can only partially be supported by scientific data as the balance between it
agronomic needs/efficacy and the risks in the consumers acceptance as well as in the fulfilment of
organic principles should be evaluated.
For coming years there is a clear need to fill in the knowledge gaps in order to be able to approach
its acceptance in the organic system with the needed scientific background and the requested
participatory approach.
strengthener, and used in organic farming with limitation in certain years. It is not allowed for use
in organic in other countries. In USA it is registered in as PPP (31 brand name products) but
forbidden in organic due to its synthetic origin; the same in Australia (with 8 brand name products
registered) but not allowed in organic
German perspective
Used in organic: yes
Legal framework
2 products containing are available on the market: "Frutogard" and "Alginure BioSchutz"
(indentical material, two different brand name products). They are listed as 'plant strengtheners', a
cathegory provided in the German Plant Protection Law. There was a case at the court last year:
The relevant plant protection authority had considered the phosphonates as plant protection
agents and not as a strengthener. But the court decided (more or less on formal reasons, not based
on scientific evaluation) that the products must remain on the Plant Strengthener List.
Formally all "Plant Strengtheners" can be used in organic production in Germany, they must not be
listed in App II of 889/2008 (confirmed in the late 90th by the former EU Commissioner Fischler).
Even if phosphonates are used and researched on since more than 20 years their acceptance in the
organic sector is still debated. About its nature, efficacy and need there is consensual evaluation
but concerning the aspect of residues risk and its mode of action some doubts are expressed:
• phosphonate leave residues on fruit (and soil?). They can be handled by application
strategies but thy still can be a risk;
• the analytical methods to detect phosphonate residues and differentiate their origin are
still developing;
• the mode of action is somehow systemic and as such different from all other products so
far used in organic.
So the difficult decision can only partially be supported by scientific data as the balance between it
agronomic needs/efficacy and the risks in the consumers acceptance as well as in the fulfilment of
organic principles should be evaluated.
For coming years there is a clear need to fill in the knowledge gaps in order to be able to approach
its acceptance in the organic system with the needed scientific background and the requested
participatory approach.
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