Final answer:
Sanitizers are regulated under organic standards by the USDA, which only allows natural materials or living organism-derived products without prohibited synthetic additives. The OMRI and WSDA publish lists of permissible products, and although organic agriculture generally prohibits synthetic pesticides, those allowed can be found on the National List.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regulation of Sanitizers Under Organic Standards:
In summary, sanitizers in the context of organic agriculture are subject to regulation by the USDA under the National Organic Program. As dictated by USDA organic regulations, for sanitizers to be used in organic production, they must be derived from natural materials or living organisms, and they should not contain prohibited synthetic additives. The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Organic Food Program review products to publish lists of allowable substances. Notably, these permissible substances may include spray oils such as vegetable- or animal-derived oils and certain narrow-range petroleum-derived oils.
It's essential to understand that while organic production prohibits most synthetic pesticides, a few are allowed when listed on the National List. Moreover, natural pesticides approved for organic agriculture can still pose risks to pollinators and other beneficial insects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken action by banning certain pesticides to protect bee populations, highlighting the importance of careful and informed decision-making when it comes to using pesticides in organic agriculture.
The ultimate goal of organic standards is to promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity, in alignment with USDA organic regulations. This includes the utilization of cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support on-farm resource cycling and minimize the environmental impact.