The Organic Trade Association calls on the White House, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency to recognize the role of organic farming in protecting pollinator populations.
On Tuesday, June 9, OTA’s board of directors adopted a strong set of policy positions on pollinator health that promote organic farming as part of the national solution to conserve and protect pollinator populations.
As such, the association urged USDA to move forward in investigating the most successful models, including organic systems and organic agricultural practices, to protect the habitat of pollinators. It also called upon the Environmental Protection Agency to recommit to identifying alternatives to neonicotinoid pesticides.
“It’s time our policymakers recognize organic’s contribution to our pollinator population, and officially make organic a part of the solution,” says Melissa Hughes of Organic Valley and president of OTA’s Board. “Organic farming alleviates many threats to bees and other pollinators by not using synthetic pesticides and supporting biodiversity and the habitat of pollinators.”
Their calls to actions are based on the report, “Critical Issue Report: The Role of Organic in Supporting Pollinator Health,” which was issued this month by The Organic Center — a sister research and education organization based out of Washington, D.C.
Check out the report at https://www.organic-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-Role-of-Organic-in-Supporting-Pollinator-Health.pdf.
