Authors
Nikolaos Katsoulas, A-K Løes, Didier Andrivon, Gabriella Cirvilleri, Miguel de Cara, Alev Kir, Lukas Knebl, Krystyna Malińska, FW Oudshoorn, Helga Willer, Ulrich Schmutz
Publication date
2020/12
Journal
Organic Agriculture
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
159-171
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Description
The use of several plant protection inputs of mineral origin, such as copper, sulphur or mineral oils is seen as contentious by many consumers and stakeholders within the organic sector. Although the use of these inputs is legal in organic systems and also applied in non-organic agriculture, their use by organic growers raises questions for organic practice, which aspires to be free from toxic, non-renewable chemicals. Data on the current use of permitted plant protection inputs is currently scarce, especially in horticulture where chemical inputs deserve special attention since horticultural products are often readily edible. A mapping of the use of copper, sulphur and mineral oils was conducted by collecting expert knowledge across 10 European countries during May–October 2018, ie before the limitation of copper use to 4 kg ha− 1 year− 1 from February 1, 2019. Results show that copper is widely used by …
Total citations
202120222023202431176