Quebec Organic Reference Standard Appendix A

 

Appendix A : Quebec Organic Agriculture Permitted Substances List

General

The generic substances listed below may be used in the production, processing and packaging of organic upon the approval of their source and use by a certification body in accordance with these standards and provincial and federal regulations pertinent to particular situations as they arise. The use of genetically engineered products (GMOs) is prohibited.

Generic substances have two possible statuses regarding their approval by certification bodies :

P Permitted: The substance’s use may be approved in accordance with applicable criteria within different sections of the standards and accompanying annotations (if appropriate).

R Restricted: The substance’s use must be approved by the certifier in accordance with applicable criteria within different sections of the standards and accompanying annotations if no substance or permitted practice is available, feasible or effective.

A1: Quebec Authorized Crop Production Substance List

A1.1 Soil Amendment and Fertilization

The use of the following generic substances is permitted for soil amendments or fertilizers in accordance with their compliance, as to their source, their use according to section 5 of the standards and their adherence to applicable provincial and federal regulations.

Note to the user

No proof of usefulness is required as a prerequisite for the substance’s acceptance. The CARTV assumes no liability in relation to the use of the substances listed.

Common Name(s) Status Origin and usage annotation
Agar
R
 Only authorized for initial mushroom spawn production
Alfalfa meal and pellets
P
See “Plant by-products”
Algae and algae products
P
See “Plant extracts”.
Animal products and by-products from slaughterhouses
 P
Meat blood and feather meal. Hoof, horn and bone powders and emulsions. Such products may not be contaminated by any prohibited substances. Substances shall comply with criteria laid out in section 5.5.2 or applied according to conditions required in section 5.4.15.
Ash
 P
From plant and animal sources. The burned materials shall not have been treated or combined with substances prohibited by the standards nor originate from agricultural residues.
Basalt
 P
 
Biotite
 P
Bone Meal
P
 
Boron mineral products
 P
See “Trace element chelates”. When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, sodium pentaborate and sodium tetraborate (borax) may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6.
Calcium chloride
 P
Mined source, to remedy calcium deficiency
Charcoal
 P
Clay (eg. Perlite, Zeolite, Bentonite)
 P
Test for possible contaminants (e.g.: heavy metals)
Copper mineral products
 R
See “Trace element chelates”. When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, forms of copper sulfate may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6.
Earthworms
 P
Shall not be genetically modified.
Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)
P
Mined sources, may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6.
Feldspar (KAlSi3O8)
 P
Fish products
P
Waste products shall comply with criteria laid out in section 5.5.2 or applied according to conditions required in section 5.4.15.
Glauconite
 P
 
Granite dust
P  
Guano (bat or bird)
P
Shall comply with criteria laid out in section 5.5.2 or applied according to conditions required in section 5.4.15.
Gypsum (calcium sulfate: CaSO4.2H2O)
 P Mined sources, with reasons as outlined in section 5.4.6
Humus from worms and insects (vermi-compost)
 P Shall demonstrate that worms and insects have not been fed with prohibited substances.
Iron-aluminum rock phosphates (Phospal)
 R
Mined sources, with reasons as outlined in section 5.4.6.
Iron mineral products P
 See “Trace element chelates”. When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, forms of iron sulfate may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6.
Kelp meal and extracts P See “Plant extracts”
Langbeinite (potassium or magnesium triple sulfate K2Mg2(SO4)3) P See “Potassium and magnesium sulfate.”
Lime (e.g. chalk, marl, limestone, phosphate chalk) P Mined sources, or from oystershells or eggshells, with reasons as outlined in section 5.4.6
Magnesite, dolomite CaMg(CO3)2 P Mined sources, with reasons as outlined in section 5.4.6.
Manganese mineral products R See “Trace element chelates”. When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, forms of manganese sulfate may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6.
Manure, (solid and liquid) and compost P Shall meet requirements as defined in 5.4
Marine animal waste P Shall meet requirements as defined in 5.5.2 et 5.4.15.

Microbial products
(except those resulting from genetic engineering)

 P These include rhizobium bacteria, mycorhizal fungi, yeast and other micro-organisms to be used on or in compost, plants, seeds and soils.
Molasses P See “Plant by-products”
Molybdenum mineral products R See “Trace element chelates”. When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, forms of sodium molybdenate may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6.
Mushroom compost P Shall not contain substances prohibited by the standards.
Organic food by-products and textile industry by-products R By-products shall not be treated with prohibited substances. Test for the presence of contaminants (heavy metals).
Peat Moss P Shall not contain prohibited substances (e.g.: wetting agents).
Phosphate rock P Mined sources, with reasons as outlined in section 5.4.6.
Plant by-products P From wild and cultivated plants in accordance with the standards or without adding or using prohibited substances.
Plant extracts P Plant extracts obtained by using water, alcohol or a diluted solution of potassium hydroxide. Uncontaminated by prohibited substances.
Plant residues P From wild and cultivated plants in accordance with the standards or without adding or using prohibited substances.
Potassium and magnesium sulfate R When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, mined sources (e.g. langbeinite), may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6. They shall be obtained by mechanical processes, and not modified by chemical means.
Potassium rock powders, potassium salts extracted from mines (e.g. kainite, sylvite) R Mined sources untainted by prohibited substances, may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6. Cement powders are not permitted.
Potassium sulfate R Mined sources to remedy potassium deficiencies.
Pumice P Mined sources, with reasons as outlined in section 5.4.6.
Rock powder P  
Sawdust and wood chips R Uncontaminated by prohibited substances.
Shell (e.g. egg and oystershells) P See “Lime”.
Straw P See “Plant residues”.
Sulphur P Used to acidify soil.
Trace elements chelates (e.g. boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc) R When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, trace elements in chelate form may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6. However only sulphonate, lignin or amino acid based chelates are permitted.
Vermiculite P  
Zinc mineral products R See “Trace element chelates”. When organic inputs are insufficient in meeting crop needs, forms of zinc sulfate may be used for reasons outlined in section 5.4.6.

A1.2 Weed Control

The use of the following generic substances is permitted for weed control in accordance with their compliance, as to their source, their use according to section 5 of the standards and their adherence to applicable laws and regulations. This list may contain products before they are officially approved by the PMRA, as well as products obviously not needing approval.

Common Names(s) Statut Origine and usage annotation
Herbicide soap (fatty acid salts)
 P  
Plant extracts P Plant extracts obtained by using water, alcohol or a diluted solution of potassium hydroxide. Uncontaminated by prohibited substances.
Plastic mulch P Plastic mulch must not be incorporated into the soil or left in the field to decompose. It shall be removed at the end of the growing season except for perennial crops where it may be left for more than one season. The use of light-degradable or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a plastic mulch is prohibited
Vegetable oils P

See also “Plant extracts”.
Vinegar (acetic acid) P  

A1.3 Plant Disease Control

The use of the following generic substances is permitted for plant disease control in accordance with their compliance, as to their source and their use according to section 5 of the standards. This list may contain phytosanitary products before they are officially approved by the PMRA, as well as products obviously not needing approval.

Common Names(s) Statut Origine and usage annotation
Biodynamic preparations P  
Bordeaux Mixture
(Mixture of copper sulfate and hydrated lime)		 P Foliar application. In the absence of other effective methods. Copper buildup in the soil must be monitored.
Calcium Chloride R Mined sources.
Calcium polysulphide (Lime sulphur) P Foliar application. In the absence of other effective methods.
Clay and bentonite P  
Copper hydroxide and other copper compounds (e.g. oxychloride) P Copper buildup in the soil must be monitored.
Copper sulfate P Mined sources. Foliar application. In the absence of other effective methods. Copper buildup in the soil must be monitored.
Elementary Sulphur P Foliar application. Soil reaction (pH) must be monitored.
Ethyl alcohol (food grade) (ethanol) P Tool disinfectant.
Homeopathic Preparations P  
Hydrogen peroxide P  
Lectin R  
Mineral oils P Only for use on woody plants during periods of dormancy.
Mineral powders (Silica rock powders) P  
Mustard powder P Treating seeds
Plant extracts
(Including vegetable and essential oils)		 P Plant extracts obtained by using water, alcohol or a diluted solution of potassium hydroxide. Uncontaminated by prohibited substances.
Potassium permanganate R  
Propolis R  
Seaweed (algae) and salt water P  
Silicic acid, mineral clay, sticking agent P For the closing of wounds in woody plants
Slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide) P Foliarn application. See Bordeaux Mixture. Permitted in growing media.
Sodium or potassium bicarbonate and Burgundy mixture

P

  
Sodium silicates

P

  
Vegetable oils (e.g. essential oils of mint, pine, caraway or cumin) P  

A1.4 Pest Control

The use of the following generic substances is permitted for pest control in accordance with their compliance, as to their source and their use according to section 5 of the standards. Pests include mollusks, arthropods and nematodes. This list may contain products before they are officially approved by the PMRA.

Common Name(s) Statut Origin and usage annotation
Ammonium carbonate P For use as bait in insect traps, for monitoring purposes only. May not come in contact with crops or the soil.
Bacillus thuringiensis P  
Calcium polysulphide (Lime sulphur) P Foliar application in the absence of other effective means.
Carbon dioxide P For fumigation
Chitin P Derived from marine animal waste. (e.g. crab and shrimp shells), uncontaminated by prohibited substances, except for potassium or sodium hydroxide used to extract the chitin.
Coloured sticky traps P May not contain pesticides or prohibited substances or come in contact with soil or plants.
Diatomaceous earth P  
Elementary Sulphur P Acaricide (Mite control)
Entomovirus P Only Granulosis virus
Garlic P  
Granulosis virus-based Preparation P  
Insect-specific-virus P Granulosis virus only
Iron orthophosphate P For slug control (mollusks). May not come in contact with crops.
Kaolin (clay) P  
Neem oil P Insect repellant
Pheromones P Synthetic pheromones are approved for the trapping and the sexual confusion of insects.
Physical barriers P  
Plant extracts P Plant extracts obtained by using water, alcohol or a diluted solution of potassium hydroxide. Uncontaminated by prohibited substances.
Predators and parasitoids P Biological insect control. May not be genetically modified.
Pyrethrum R Natural substances only, uncontaminated by prohibited substances. See also "plant extracts".
Rotenone R Insecticide and acaricide. Only when other products are ineffective against insects. Natural sources only, e.g. Derris elliptica, Lonchocarpus, Thephrosia; Uncontaminated by prohibited substances. See also "Plant extracts".
Shell P Acaricides
Silicon Dioxide P  
Spinosad, Beauveria bassiana, virus P “Insecticidal” soaps made of fatty acids obtained from animal or vegetable oils.
Sticky traps P May not contain pesticides or prohibited substances or come in contact with soil or plants
Vegetable oils (colza, sesame.) P Including "essential" and "dormant" oils. See also “Plant extracts”

A1.5 Vertebrate Animal Control

The following substances are approved for vertebrate animal control. (e.g. rodents and birds) in accordance with their compliance, as to their source and their use according to section 5 of the standards.

Common Name(s) Statut Origine and usage annotation
Sulphur anhydride P “Smoke bombs”, for the control of burrowing rodents.
Garlic-based repellents P Repels geese, rabbits, deer, etc.
Chilli pepper based repellents P Repels dogs, cats, raccoons, groundhogs, etc.
Ammonium soaps P As an animal repellent, no contact with soil or plants.
Vitamine D-3 R As a last resort against rodents.

A1.6 Plant Growth Regulators

The following substances are approved for regulating plant growth in accordance with their compliance, as to their source and their use according to section 5 of the standards.

Common Name(s) Statut Origin and usage annotation
Carbon dioxide P Growth stimulator. For use in greenhouses.
Cytokinins R Algae extracts for root growth stimulation.
Gibberellic acid R Produced through fermentation and not enriched by synthetic substances..
Indol-acetic acid P Root growth stimulator.
Plant extracts P  

A1.7 Crop Production Aids

The following substances are approved for enabling the application of permitted or restricted substances on crops and soil in accordance with their compliance, as to their source and their use according to section 5 of the standards.

Common Name(s) Statut Origin and usage annotation
Bentonite P  
Citric acid P pH regulator
Copper sulphate R Wood preservative
Lignin Sulphonates R Chelating agents
Plant extracts P As a dispersant, surfactant.
Soaps P As wetting agents and adjuvants consisting of fatty acids derived from animal or vegetable oils.
Sodium or potassium bicarbonate P pH regulator
Vinegar (acetic acid) P Adjuvant and pH regulator.

 
   
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