Pesticide Drift
CCOF addresses the issue of potential pesticide drift in every certification by requiring clearly defined buffers and boundaries between organic and non-organic farms. CCOF supports organic farmers' rights to recoup financial losses as a result of pesticide drift.
Consuming organic products is the most effective way to reduce worker and consumer exposure to harmful pesticides. Consumer support of organic agriculture helps reduce the amount of pesticides used in agriculture.
Organic agriculture uses a systems approach to pest control by using natural forces to achieve balance, such as the introduction of beneficial insects, soil building, and when absolutely necessary, the application of products approved for organic agriculture.  You've
been sprayed... What can you do?
In a world addicted to agrochemicals, pesticide drift is a serious
concern shared by nearly all CCOF certified growers.
CCOF certified clients should inform CCOF as soon as possible
of any suspected or actual pesticide drift or direct spraying on
CCOF certified parcels.
In the Winter 2001 issue of The Newsletter of CCOF, Megan Kemple
of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives
to Pesticides (NCAP) offers answers to the question "You've
Been Sprayed... What Can You Do?" In this article (you will
need Adobe
Acrobat Reader), Kemple offers advice on:
- Your immediate response to pesticide drift
- Getting medical help
- What to bring with you when visiting a doctor
- Reporting the incident
- Keeping track of the spraying incident
- Taking action
- Laboratory testing
- Deciding on legal action, and
- Choosing an attorney
Please call 831-423-2263 with additional questions or contact
us via email at ccof@ccof.org.
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