IFOAM Norms for Organic Production and Processing, Download

Accumulation of heavy metals and other pollutants should be prevented.
II. | IFOAM Basic Standards
Naturally occurring mineral fertilizers and brought-in fertilizers of biological origin permitted
under these standards should be regarded as only one component of the nutrient system, and
as a supplement to, and not a replacement for, nutrient recycling.
Manures containing human feces and urine should not be used unless free of human pathogens.
Careful attention to hygiene is required and it is recommended that they are not applied directly
to vegetation for human consumption or to soil that will be used to grow annual plants within
the next six months.
Standards shall require that:
4.4.1 Material of microbial, plant or animal origin shall form the basis of the fertility
program.
4.4.2 Nutrients and fertility products shall be applied in a way that protects soil, water, and
biodiversity. Restrictions may be based on amounts, location, timing, treatments,
methods or choice of inputs applied.
4.4.3 Material applied to the land or crop shall be in accordance with Appendix 2.
4.4.4 Manures containing human excrement (feces and urine) are prohibited for use on crops
for human consumption.
Exceptions may be made where detailed sanitation requirements are established by the
standard-setting organization to prevent the transmission of pests, parasites and infectious
agents and to ensure that manures are not mixed with other household or industrial wastes
that may contain prohibited substances.
4.4.5 Mineral fertilizers shall only be used in a program addressing long-term fertility needs
together with other techniques such as organic matter additions, green manures,
rotations and nitrogen fixation by plants.
4.4.6 Mineral fertilizers shall be applied in the form in which they are naturally composed
and extracted and shall not be rendered more soluble by chemical treatment, other than
addition of water and mixing with other naturally occurring, permitted inputs.
Under exceptional circumstances, and after consideration of all relevant information, and
having regard to Appendix 1, the standard-setting organizations may grant exception to this
requirement. These exceptions shall not apply to mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen.
4.4.7 Chilean nitrate and all synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers, including urea, are prohibited.
23