So, we had our usual annual organic farm inspection again this year, and our produce was once again spot-checked. A sample of our kale was taken away and tested for…., now I must preface this with even I was shocked this time.
The last time our produce was tested it was tested for 870 chemicals. This time it was tested for 1200 different chemicals.
Now to be fair, some of these chemicals are banned in the EU, some are banned in the EU and are still used in other parts of the world and are still found on conventional imported food, many that are banned in the EU are still used in the US.
Whatever way you look at it, it is a lot of chemicals.
In total the most recent estimate puts the sales of these toxic chemicals at between 60-€80 billion per annum.
All of this brings me back to the idea, that we as organic farmers and producers must prove our chemical free nature! We must demonstrate that we are following the rules, that we are complying with the organic regulations, that we are not using synthetic pesticides, not using artificial fertilisers, amongst other things. This in our current food environment is fair as it protects us the consumer, and certified organic produce is a crucial way to ensure these chemicals are kept out of our food chain and for us as consumers to know we are getting chemical free food.
But, what if the shoe was on the other foot so to speak, what if we still demonstrated that we were pesticide free, but conventional produce had to list all the chemicals used in its production.
If you go into any supermarket now and check any pack of oranges, or grapefruit, lemons or limes, in fact any citrus fruit you will see the list of chemicals that have been coated onto the skin of the produce. It is clear for everybody who looks to see, one of the most common chemicals applied is one called “Imazalil” this is a probable human carcinogen, and it is applied to nearly every single piece of conventional citrus fruit you will find in a supermarket that is not certified organic.
Now this is not to cause alarm, and there is a justified argument that these compounds reduce food waste by preventing food from rotting. But here is the thing, is it worth it? Would you choose it?
Now at least in the case of citrus fruit it is clear, it is labelled and there to see, but what if all those other pesticides, we have been tested for 1200 different chemicals, what if all of the compounds that were used in the growing of our food was labelled, what then?
It may cause us to at least stop and think, and maybe consider the implications for our health and the health of the planet.
As always thank you for your support, without which we would not be here.
Kenneth
PS As Christmas draws closer, we have had challenges this week getting parsnips harvested as it has been so wet, planning our harvest and harvest from other Irish organic farms can be tricky at this time of year. If you can get your order in now it helps us plan and understand how much produce we will need, remember the deadline for Christmas is less than 2 weeks away now, and we have a finite number of products and produce, so please if you can support us this Christmas, even if you get one or two extra organic groceries from us as well as your fresh produce, it will make a huge difference, the supermarkets wont miss you but we will. Support us to help support you in making it a chemical free Christmas. The little red hat on our products indicates which products you can order for Christmas