The National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) is reviewing its treatment approach for managing fire ants on organic properties.
The NFAEP has confirmed that the fire ant treatment product used on properties certified as organic under Australian standards in targeted fire ant areas may be unsuitable. Two ingredients in the product—soybean oil and corn grit—contain genetically modified organism (GMO) material.
The National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce (the National Standard for export) prohibits GMO material, as do many private domestic organic standards. The active ingredient, S-methoprene, may be used on properties certified as organic under the National Standard for export, subject to conditions imposed by the Department of Agriculture.
Because the soybean oil and corn grit are not GMO-free, NFAEP has suspended treatment on all known organic properties while they source non-GMO alternatives. This action upholds organic industry standards and protects organic operators and communities from fire ants.
OOA has been actively working on this issue with NFAEP, Department of Agriculture, organic operators and certifiers.
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