“This is completely crazy,” explains a French organic producer. “They are killing the organic sector!” Anger is growing among organic producers. On the 6th of June, French television channel France 2 broadcast a new edition of Cash Investigation “Organic Alert” (Alerte sur le bio). Professionals of the organic sector are angry, but also stunned and worried about the possible repercussions on the organic market, given that the program's audience record has reached over 3.8 million viewers in the past.
“You eat organic food sometimes, often or all the time, because it is good for the planet and definitely better for your health. You believe that if it is organic, it must be pesticide-free. Well, think again: natural pesticides are authorized in organic farming. So natural pesticides are safe? Not so sure!” These were the first words spoken by Elise Lucet, presenting the program.
On the agenda? The substances authorized in organic farming, with a focus on BT, presented as an “endocrine disruptor”, and Spinosad as “neurotoxic” and a “real bee killer”. The workings of monitoring agencies, described as “opaque”, and finally, biocontrol and the question of pyrethrum in garden centers.
Interviewed on June 7th by FreshPlaza, organic producers, cooperatives and wholesalers shared their feelings following the broadcast of this news show. Most of them agree that the documentary was “clearly incriminating”, while others see it as “a big joke”. The lack of professionalism was pointed out by some professionals of the sector, who felt that “this was not a journalistic piece, but rather a deliberate attempt to take down the organic sector!”
Many fear that there will be confusion in the mind of consumers. “They focus on products that are rarely used. Consumers will now imagine that Spinosad is used daily in all crops, whereas we only use it as a last resort! Sales of Spinosad* represent only a tiny fraction of sales of authorized substances for organic farming.”
*(Spinosad sales represent 0.06% of biopesticide sales, according to Générations Futures).
Another source of concern is the government's possible reaction. “We are already very limited in the number of authorized substances, so we do not want the French government to change the regulations even further to our disadvantage. France already has some of the most restrictive legislation on the subject. Some substances that are banned in France are still authorized in neighboring European countries.”
It is still too early to measure the extent of the repercussions (audience measurement, press and social networks), but there is no doubt, according to the professionals interviewed, that the show will “damage the image of an industry that is already experiencing difficulties.” Others suggested "a good communication plan to set the record straight and for consumers to distinguish what is true from what is false.”