A

Allowed - restrictions may apply and are described in the annotation

X

Prohibited

A

Acetic acid
Non-synthetic

Spot treat via direct application to plant foliage. Broadcast application in planted areas prohibited.

A

Adhesives for sticky traps and barriers

Shall not contain prohibited pesticides or other prohibited substances.

A

Ammonium carbonate

For use as bait in insect traps and for monitoring purposes only. Shall not be in contact with plants or soil.

A

Ammonium soaps

May be used as an animal repellent -
i.e. deer. Cannot be applied to soil or edible portions of plants.

X

Anti-coagulants

Includes diphacinone and chlorophacinone. May not be used directly or in bait stations.

X

Antibiotics
(prohibited)

Synthetic antibiotics are prohibited unless explicitly allowed.

X

Arsenic

Prohibited.

A

Arthropod pathogens

See ‘Biological organisms’.

A

Arthropod predators and parasitoids

See ‘Biological organisms’.

A

Arthropods

See ‘Biological organisms’.

X

Aromatic petroleum solvents

Prohibited; see 'Inert ingredients'

X

Avermectin

Prohibited.

A

Azadiractin

See 'Neem '. Allowed as an insecticide

A

Bacillus thuringiensis

See ‘Biological Organisms’

X

Bactericides, synthetic

All synthetic bactericides that are not explicitly allowed or restricted are prohibited.

A

Baits for rodent traps

Shall not contain synthetic substances

A

Baking soda

Sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. Allowed for pest and disease control in greenhouses. Permitted for other crops once it is approved for that use in Canada.

A

Bentonite

Allowed. Must not have undergone any change in its molecular structure thorough heating or combining with other substances. Acceptable if the material is not processed or fortified with synthetic chemicals

X

Benzene

Prohibited.

A

Biodynamic preparations for disease control

Horsetail spray (Prep 508) and horn silica (Prep 501).

A

Biological organisms

Living organisms that benefit plant production by reducing pest populations, such as bacillus thuringiensis, spinosad, granulosis (e.g. viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, insects nematodes). No organisms from genetic engineering.

X

Bird baits

Prohibited: Poisons used to kill birds.

A

Blood meal

Allowed only if sterilized. Use is discouraged due to the potential spread of prion diseases.

A

Bordeaux mixes

Copper Sulphate and Hydrated Lime. See ‘Copper products’. Must be used in a manner that minimizes copper accumulation in the soil.

A

Boric acid

May be used for structural pest control (i.e. ants). No direct contact with plants is allowed.

A

Botanical pesticides

Botanical pesticides must be used in conjunction with a Landscape Management Plan, and cannot be the primary method of pest control in the landscape. The least toxic botanicals shall be used in the least ecologically disruptive way possible. All label restrictions and directions need to be followed including restrictions concerning plants, livestock, target pests, safety precautions, pre-harvest intervals, and worker re-entry.
The only botanical pesticides registered for use in Canada and in a form that could be used by organic practitioners are some rotenone and pyrethrum products registered for domestic use.

A

Calcium chloride

Natural sources and food grade quality only. Can be used to adjust nutrient deficiencies and physiological disorders.

X

Calcium hydroxide

Also known as hot lime. Also see ‘Lime, hydrated’.

A

Calcium polysulfide

See ‘Lime sulfur’. Foliar application as a fungicide is allowed on a restricted basis. May be used as an insecticide only if there are no feasible alternatives.

X

Carbonates

Prohibited.

A

Chloride of Lime

See 'Calcium chloride'

X

Chlorinated hydro-carbons

Prohibited.

X

Chlorophacinone

May not be used directly or in bait stations.

A

Cholecalciferol

Vitamin D-3 product. Cannot be the sole means of rodent control. Precautions must be taken to prevent killing non-target animals.

A

Cinnamon

See ‘Repellants’.

A

Citrus products

See ‘Repellants’.

A

Codling moth Granulosis virus

See ‘Biological organisms’.

A

Copper, fixed

See ‘Copper products’. Shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil.

A

Copper hydroxide

See ‘Copper products ’. Shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil.

A

Copper products

These include copper hydroxide which is registered for disease control, copper sulphates which can be used as a fungicide, Bordeaux mix, and copper oxychloride.
Shall be used in a manner that prevents excessive copper accumulation in the soil. Build up of copper in soil may prohibit future use. Use with caution.

A

Copper sulphate

See 'Copper products '.

A

Copper oxides

See 'Copper products'.

A

Copper oxychloride

See 'Copper products'.

A

Corn gluten meal

Shall be from non genetically engineered plants

X

Detergents

Prohibited for uses other than as equipment cleaners

A

Diatomaceous earth

Only non-heated forms may be used. Shall not contain synthetic pesticides or synergists.

X

Diphacinone

May not be used directly or in bait stations.

A

Dormant oils

Allowed for use as a dormant spray on woody plants only. Shall not contain any prohibited insecticides or other ingredients.

A

Eggs

See ‘Repellants’.

A

Essential oils

See ‘Plant Extracts’

X

Ferric and ferrous compounds (prohibited)

Prohibited for pest or weed control purposes.

A

Fiber row covers

Shall not be incorporated into the soil or left in the field to decompose: shall be removed at the end of the growing season.

A

Flame torches

Allowed for vegetation control.

X

Formaldehyde

Prohibited.

X

Fungicides,
synthetic

All synthetic fungicides that are not explicitly allowed or restricted are prohibited.

A

Garlic

See ‘Repellants’.

X

Genetically engineered organisms

Prohibited in any form.

A

Granulosis

See ‘Biological organisms’

A

Grass clippings

See ‘Mulches’

A

Hair

See ‘Repellants’

A

Hay

See ‘Mulches’

X

Herbicides, synthetic

Prohibited unless specifically allowed.

X

Hot lime

Prohibited. Also known as calcium hydroxide.

X

Hydrated lime

Prohibited.

A

Hydrogen peroxide

Allowed for use as a fungicide once approved for that use in Canada

A

Infrared radiation (heat, light)

Allowed for vegetation control.

A

Insecticidal soap

Insecticidal soaps consisting of fatty acids derived from animal or vegetable oils are allowed.

A

Iodine

Non-elemental and not to exceed 5% solution by volume

X

Ionizing radiation

For example: irradiation or microwave.

X

Iron compounds

Prohibited for pest or weed control purposes.

A

Kaolin Clay

Allowed

X

Killed microbial pesticides

These have been genetically engineered and are therefore prohibited.

A

Latex paint, interior

Latex paint is allowed as a tree seal and on tree trunks to protect against southwest disease.

X

Lime, hot

Also known as calcium hydroxide. Prohibited.

X

Lime, slaked

Prohibited

A

Lime sulphur

Foliar application as a fungicide is allowed on a restricted basis. May be used as an insecticide only if there are no feasible

X

Methyl bromide

Prohibited.

X

Methyl Sulphoxide

Prohibited.

A

Microbial inoculants

See 'Microbial products'.

A

Microbial products

Allowable microbial products include Rhizobium bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, Azolla, yeast and other microorganisms on compost, plants, seeds, soils and other components of the organic operation.
Ionizing radiation is allowed for use on peat moss carrier only, before addition of microbial inoculants. Radiation is otherwise prohibited. Genetically engineered organisms or viruses are not allowed. Microbial products are prohibited if the final product contains synthetic preservatives such as sodium sulphite, or they are fortified with otherwise prohibited plant nutrients.

X

Micronutrients, (natural and synthetic)

Micronutrients may not be used as a defoliant herbicide, or desiccant.

A

Milk

Shall not contain substances that are not allowed.

A

Mineral oils

Allowed as dormant oils only. See 'Dorman oil'.

X

Moth balls/crystals

Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene are prohibited.

A

Mulch
(allowed)

Organic matter in the form of plant residues from organic sources is allowed for mulching.

Non-organic sources of straw, leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, sawdust or hay shall be free of pesticides and other contaminants.

Plastic mulches: Shall not be incorporated into the soil or left in the field to decompose; shall be removed at the end of the growing season. Use of polyvinyl chloride as plastic mulch or row cover is prohibited.

Cedar and Redwood contain compounds that make these materials unsuitable for application in most planted areas.

X

Mulch
(prohibited)

Newspaper mulch: Glossy paper and coloured inks are prohibited.

Plastic mulches: use of polyvinyl chloride as plastic mulch or row cover is prohibited.

X

Naphthalene

Prohibited

C

Neem extract, powder and seeds

Allowed when registered for use in Canada

A

Newspaper
(allowed)

Plain paper and paper printed with vegetable based inks is allowed as a mulch. May cause build-up of aluminum. Use with caution.

X

Newspaper
(prohibited)

Coloured or glossy paper is prohibited for use as a mulch.

X

Nicotine

Prohibited because of extreme toxicity.

A

Oils, vegetable

See ‘Vegetable oils’.

X

Oils, petroleum based

Prohibited.

X

Organo-chlorines

Prohibited.

X

Organo-phosphates

Prohibited.

A

Paper
(allowed)

Plain paper and paper printed with vegetable based inks is allowed as a mulch. May cause build-up of aluminum. Use with caution.

X

Paper
(prohibited)

Coloured or glossy paper is prohibited for use as a mulch.

X

Paradichloro-benzene

Prohibited.

X

Pelargonic acid

Prohibited.

A

Pelletising materials
(allowed)

Clay, gypsum or other non-synthetic coatings.

X

Pelletising materials
(prohibited)

Plastic polymers and other synthetic substances.

A

Peracetic acid

For use to control fire blight bacteria, once registered for that use in Canada

X

Pesticides,
synthetic

All synthetic pesticides not explicitly allowed or restricted are prohibited.

X

Petroleum distillates
(prohibited)

All petroleum distillates are prohibited for vegetation control.

A

pH buffers
(allowed)

Shall be from a natural source, such as citric acid or vinegar.

X

pH buffers
(prohibited)

Lye and sulphuric acid are prohibited.

A

Pheromones

For use in pheromone traps or dispensers. Pheromones shall be non-synthetic and shall not be combined with prohibited materials.

A

Pine oil and resin

See ‘Plant extracts”

X

Piperonyl butoxide

Prohibited as a synergist in botanical products. Although this material is derived from a plant source originally, it undergoes a substantial molecular change during its extraction and processing.

A

Plant extracts, oils and preparations

Allowed for pest and disease control once approved for that use in Canada

A

Plant protectants, natural

Substances that protect plants from harsh environmental conditions such as frost and sunburn, from infection, from the buildup of dirt on leaf surfaces, or from injury by a pest. Natural substances are allowed including diatomaceous earth, kaolin clay, pine oil, pine resin and yucca. Interior latex paint and white wash are allowed for use on trees to protect against sunburn and southwest disease.

X

Plant protectants, synthetic

All synthetic plant protectants are prohibited unless specifically allowed.

A

Plastic for row covers and solarization

Shall not be incorporated into the soil or left to decompose: must be removed at the end of the growing season. Use of polyvinyl chloride is prohibited for this application.

A

Potassium bicarbonate

See: 'Baking soda'.

A

Predator scents

Allowed as a repellant provided synthetic additives are not used.

X

Pruning Paints

Prohibited

X

Pyrethroids,
synthetic

Prohibited

A

Pyrethrin

See: 'Pyrethrum'

A

Pyrethrum

There are currently no pyrethrum products registered in Canada that do not contain synthetic contaminates. Pyrethrin is the active ingredient in products licensed for use as insecticides. Currently the only Pyrethrin product without the prohibited Piperonyl butoxide is allowed for use in mushroom production only.

A

Repellents

Acceptable if derived from a natural source such as sterilized blood meal, rotten eggs, hair or predator scents provided synthetic additives are not used.

A

Rodent traps

Mechanical traps are acceptable but not with synthetic baits.

X

Rodenticides, anti-coagulant

Prohibited

A

Rotenone

Shall not be combined with unacceptable formulants. There are only a few domestic products registered for use in Canada. See “Botanical pesticides” for restrictions.

A

Saponins

Saponins derived from plants are allowed as wetting agents.

X

Salt, table

Sodium chloride. Prohibited.

A

Sawdust & wood chips.

Shall be from untreated and unpainted wood. Natural substance or those derived from natural substances; shall be free from wood that has been treated with prohibited substances.
Cedar and Redwood contain compounds that make these materials unsuitable for application in most planted areas.

A

Seed treatments
(allowed)

Seed treated with naturally occurring biological management agents is allowed. Organisms from genetic engineering are prohibited. Seed pelletized with clay, gypsum or other non-synthetic coatings is allowed. For rhizobial bacteria coatings, pelletized seeds are allowed unless pelletizing substance contains prhibited substances. Plastic polymer pelletization of seeds is prohibited.

A

Semiochemicals

Shall be non-synthetic and shall not be combined with prohibited materials.

X

Slaked lime

Prohibited

A

Soap-based algaecide / demisters

For use as algaecides, disinfectants and sanitizers including irrigations cleaning systems. Shall not contain prohibited or restricted substances.

A

Soaps
(allowed)

Insecticidal soaps consisting of fatty acids derived from animal or vegetable oils are allowed.

X

Soaps
(prohibited)

Prohibited for vegetation control.

A

Soaps, ammonium

For use as a large animal repellent only. No contact with soil or edible portion of plants.

A

Sodium bicarbonate

See ‘Baking Soda’

X

Sodium chlorate & sodium chloride

Prohibited.

X

Sodium fluoaluminate mined and/or reacted

Prohibited.

X

Sodium sulphite

Used as a preservative. Prohibited.

X

Soil fumigants, synthetic

Prohibited.

A

Spinosad

See ‘Biological organisms’.

A

Steam

Allowed for vegetation control.

A

Sterile insect

See biological controls.

A

Sticky traps and barriers

Shall not contain prohibited pesticides or other prohibited substances.

A

Straw

Allowed if free of pesticides and other contaminants.

X

Streptomycin, Streptomycin sulphate

Prohibited.

A

Sulphur (smoke bombs)

Used for rodent control. Shall be used in conjunction with other methods, and only when a full pest control program is maintained but temporarily overwhelmed.

A

Sulphur, elemental

Allowed for foliar use only.

A

Sulphur dioxide

Allowed for use in sulphur smoke bombs for control of underground rodents.

A

Summer oils

Allowed as suffocating or stylet oils on foliage once they are registered for that use in Canada.

A

Surfactants

See ‘Soaps’ and ‘Detergents’

X

Terramycin

Oxytetracycline calcium complex. See "Antibiotics" . Prohibited.

X

Toluene

Prohibited.

X

Transpiration blockers,
synthetic

Prohibited.

A

Traps

May not be combined with otherwise prohibited synthetic pesticides.

A

Treated seed

See: 'Seed treatments'

A

Tree seals

Plant or milk-based paints are recommended but interior latex paints may be used. Other petroleum substances may be used if there is no alternative. Shall not be combined with fungicides or other synthetic chemicals.

X

Urea

All uses prohibited, including as an inert ingredient.

A

Vegetable oils

Allowed as spreader-stickers, surfactants and carriers. Shall not contain prohibited ingredients.

A

Vinegar

Non-synthetic sources unless commercially unavailable. Spot treat via direct application to plant foliage. Broadcast application in planted areas prohibited.

A

Virus sprays

Codling moth Granulosis virus is acceptable. No genetically engineered viruses are allowed.

A

Vitamin D-3 (Cholecalciferol)

Vitamin D-3 cannot be the sole means of rodent control. Precautions must be taken to prevent killing non-target animals.

A

Water, reclaimed

Reclaimed water must comply with federal, provincial and local standards and may be used only on non-edible plant parts, and which are not for human consumption. Use on edible plant parts and root crops is prohibited. Chlorinated water must meet the 4-ppm residual chlorine standard.

X

Weed oils

All forms are prohibited.

A

Weed torches

Allowed for vegetation control.

A

Wetting agents

Natural wetting agents, including soaps, saponins and microbial wetting agents are allowed. See ‘Soaps’ and ‘Detergents’

A

White Wash

Lime and water. Allowed as a tree seal and on tree trunks to protect against southwest disease.

A

Wood chips and shavings

From untreated and unpainted wood only. Cedar and Redwood contain compounds that make these materials unsuitable for application in most planted areas.

A

Yucca products

Allowed. See ‘Plant protectants’.

X

Xylene

Prohibited.

X

Zinc pellets

Prohibited.