ВУЗ:
Составители:
Рубрика:
taken steps to minimize the use of and consumers' exposure to, toxic and persistent pesticides by establishing
organic agricultural practices.
Organic farming is about building a sustainable, healthy and productive future for every aspect of our
planet: the soil, water supply, animals and humans. Consumers who want to minimize their – and the environ-
ment's – exposure to toxic and persistent chemicals can do so by buying organic foods and organic fiber prod-
ucts, and by choosing organic agricultural methods for home pest control and lawn care. It is simply putting na-
ture to work while removing many potential health risks that exist from certain food production today, mainly
the use of pesticides.
In March 2001, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released findings showing measur-
able amounts of residual organophosphate pesticides in a group of people who were studied. The National
Academies of Sciences has indicated that one out of four developmental and behavioral problems in children
may be linked to genetic and environmental factors, including exposure to lead, mercury and organophosphate
pesticides. When you put these two studies together, the conclusions could be cause for concern. Still, it should
be noted that there is still more scientists and doctors need to learn about the long-term health effects of the
low-level presence of organophosphates in humans.
Interestingly, a separate study to assess preschool children's organophosphate exposure in the Seattle Met-
ropolitan area showed that one child who showed no measurable pesticide residue lived in a family that buys
exclusively organic products and does not use any pesticides at home. While this does not conclude that there
were any serious health risks to the remainder of the group, it does indicate that use of organic food and non-
food products can reduce the presence of those products in humans.
With increasing demands for food supplies during the past 60 years, we saw the introduction of the use of
harsh chemicals and synthetic fertilizers as a way for farmers to boost crop yields. This subsequently has been
followed by the more recent adoption of planting genetically modified crops.
Even today, there are toxic and persistent pesticides still used in agriculture. CDC noted that organophos-
phate pesticides account for approximately half of the insecticides used in the United States. An estimated 60
million pounds of organophosphate pesticides are applied to about 60 million acres of U.S. agricultural crops
annually, and an additional 17 million pounds are used per year for nonagricultural uses, such as in household
pest control products and in lawn and garden sprays.
The National Organic Standards Board defines organic agriculture as an ecological production manage-
ment system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based
on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological
harmony.
Despite the fact that less than 1 percent of U.S. agriculture research dollars are spent on organic practices,
organic production has been shown to have yields comparable to, and sometimes higher than, conventional sys-
tems. In addition, because organic production improves soil quality as measured by soil structure, organic mat-
ter, biological activity, water infiltration and water-holding capacity, organic systems generally produce higher
yields than crops grown using conventional high-input methods during drought, leading to production stability
year after year.
Organic agriculture is a collection of tested agricultural practices by diligent farmers’ intent on preserving
the health of our planet. Organic agriculture is sustainable, keeping soils healthy and alive, and helping to mini-
mize contamination of the earth's precious water supplies.
Organophosphates are not allowed in organic agriculture. Instead, organic growers use biological and cul-
tural practices as their first line of defense against pests. Methods used include crop rotation, the selection of
pest- and disease- resistant varieties, nutrient and water management, the provision of habitat for the natural
enemies of pests, and release of beneficial organisms to protect crops from damage. The only pesticides al-
lowed in organic agriculture must be on a USDA approved list, with restricted use.
In addition, organic practices prohibit the use of genetic engineering, irradiation, sewage sludge, antibiot-
ics, and hormones. These practices are allowed in other forms of raising and producing our food, and other ag-
ricultural products.
Because organic agriculture respects the balance of microorganisms in the soil, organic producers use com-
posted manure and other natural materials, as well as crop rotation, to help improve soil fertility, rather than
synthetic fertilizers that can result in an overabundance of nitrogen and phosphorous in the ground. As a result,
Страницы
- « первая
- ‹ предыдущая
- …
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- …
- следующая ›
- последняя »
