The study looked at the effectiveness of organic pesticides when compared with conventional ones in combating soya bean aphids over a two year period. Rebecca Hallett from the study group found that organic pesticides were less selective than conventional ones, killing both the aphids and their natural predators. The synthetic pesticides, on the other hand, were more selective and only killed the aphids.

 

Professor Hallet points out that the environmental damage caused by organic pesticides is therefore greater than that caused by synthetic ones. “There is a general assumption among the public that if a compound is natural it’s going to be safer than something that’s synthetic,” Prof. Hallett said. “This research shows that’s not necessarily the case.”

 

However, this test was clearly performed in a way that doesn’t take into account organic farming methods. The use of pesticides in an organic farm is clearly a measure of last resort, as other more natural pest control methods would be preferred. So whilst the study does underline a problem with pesticides, it is far removed from the reality of organic farming.

 

David Cohlmeyer, an organic farmer from Cookstown Greens stated that: “When you’re doing it right, you don’t have pest problems. We don’t use any pesticides because we don’t need to.”

 

The researchers of the University of Guelph recommend using whichever products have the least environmental impact. Yet this is a false conclusion as it doesn’t take into account the long term effects of synthetic chemicals on the environment and larger ecosystems, nor does it consider the impact on human health.

 

For a healthy planet and a healthy individual, organic farming remains the preferred source of food for a Zen lifestyle.

 
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/molajen/3246177290