Section 375 IAC 1-3-5 - Prohibited crop production practices and materialsAuthority: IC 15-15-8-17
Affected: IC 15-15-8
Sec. 5.
(a) For a farm or field to be certified under this title, producers on such farm or field shall not apply materials to, or engage in practices on, seeds or seedlings that are contrary to or inconsistent with the applicable organic certification program.(b) For a farm or field to be certified under this title, producers on such farm or field shall not use any fertilizers containing synthetic ingredients or any commercially blended fertilizers containing materials prohibited under this title, or as a source of nitrogen, phosphorous, lime, potash, or any materials that are inconsistent with the organic certification program under this title.(c) For a farm or field to be certified under this title, producers on such farm or field shall not use: (1) plastic mulches unless such mulches are removed at the end of each growing or harvest season;(2) transplants that are treated with any synthetic or prohibited material;(3) genetically engineered organisms; or(4) natural poisons, such as arsenic or lead salts that have long term effects and persist in the environment, as established by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) A producer handler seeking certification under this title shall submit an organic plan to the certifying agent, and such plan shall be reviewed by the certifying agent who shall determine if such plan meets the requirements of the Indiana organic program.(e) An organic plan shall contain provisions designed to foster soil fertility, primarily through the management of the organic content of the soil through proper tillage, crop rotation, and manuring.(f) An organic plan shall contain terms and conditions that regulate the application of manure to crops.(g) Such organic plan may provide for the application of raw manure only to any: (3) crop not for human consumption; and(4) crop for human consumption, if such crop is harvested after a reasonable period of time determined by the certifying agent to ensure the safety of such crop, after the most recent application of raw manure, but in no event shall such period be less than one hundred twenty (120) days after such application.(h) Such organic plan shall prohibit raw manure from being applied to any crop in a way that significantly contributes to water contamination by nitrates or bacteria.(i) An organic livestock plan shall contain provisions designed to foster the organic production of livestock consistent with the purposes of this title.(j) An organic plan may encompass both the crop production and livestock production requirements in this title if both activities are conducted by the same producer.(k) An organic handling plan shall contain provisions designed to ensure that agricultural products that are sold or labeled as organically produced are produced and handled in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this title.(l) An organic plan for the harvesting of wild crops shall:(1) designate the area from which the wild crop will be gathered or harvested;(2) include a three (3) year history of the management of the area showing that no prohibited substances have been applied;(3) include a plan for the harvesting or gathering of the wild crops assuring that such harvesting or gathering will not be destructive to the environment and will sustain the growth and production of the wild crop; and(4) include provisions that no prohibited substances will be applied by the producer.(m) An organic plan shall not include any production or handling practices that are inconsistent with this title.Indiana State Department of Agriculture; 375 IAC 1-3-5; filed Jun 15, 2001, 11:46 a.m.: 24 IR 3635; readopted filed Nov 26, 2007, 2:49 p.m.: 20071226-IR-375070721RFA