Rede Verde supports the Scientific Research on Organic

Farming in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

Anne-Sophie Bertrand (annesophie@rede-verde.org)
03/2010

Keywords: organic, conservation, soils, waters, lettuce, pesticides, health, fungicides

The following is the first example of this from a long list.

During December 2009, Mario Soares, the Director of the Secretary of Environment for the city of Foz do
Iguaçu, in Paraná, Brazil, asked Rede Verde for help analyzing laboratorial work conducted on lettuce.
The objective consists of comparing the content of products, on the basis of agricultural chemistry, such
as organic products in comparison to conventional products. We participated in a culinary test to see if
the taste allowed one to identify the organic product versus the conventional product. The results were
undeniable: out of 9 people, 100% identified each correctly, which goes to show, the taste of an organic
product is not similar to the taste of the conventional product. It’s often said that, it doesn’t have any
taste, it doesn’t have a good texture, and it doesn’t smell…

Next, we compared two lettuces, one “conventional”, meaning it has been subjected to chemical
treatments such as food processing and the other, a result of organic agriculture, exempt of all types of
chemical treatments. The analysis was conducted in a private laboratory of the region. They were
allowed to analyze the presence of two fungicides at the point of it becoming conventional lettuce. “Is
that all?” you ask me? “Oh, it’s not so serious”. After taking a further look, Azoxystrobin is said to have
“a favorable profile ecotoxicologicly speaking.” On what bases? It seems to not be a harmful toxic level
for mammals, insects, birds, bees, and earthworm. On the other hand, it is highly toxic for the fresh
water fish and highly toxic for marine invertebrates. Currently, the carbendazim is a fungicide that

Rede Verde Conservation Network Inc. BN: 845495613NP0001

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causes worry among those who are concerned with the question of health and the environment because
it is suspected to stimulate dysfunction in the hormonal balance. It is even listed by the institution
“Friends of the Earth” among the four most dangerous pesticides for health and the environment. So,
after having understood how these two products affect our health and environment, does this still seem
not so serious?

Does it seem like something you would want to eat or worse give to your kids? There is a very good
documentary film by Jean Paul Jaud which really makes you think, see for yourself:
http:www.nosenfantsnousaccuseront-lefilm.com/.

Otherwise, the analysis equally confirmed that the organic lettuce doesn’t contain any chemical by
products from the organic farming industry.

At this time, there are doubts and criticism (because it’s always necessary to keep an open eye on their
analysis and their interpretations.) It makes sense to verify what part of the plant is analyzed, the level of
precipitation during the culture period, and the temperature changes while the products are being made.
We easily understand that if a fungicide or a pesticide was applied on a plant to the point that it was no
longer a plantlet, this same chemical product has strong chances of being infiltrated into the earth and
groundwater, or even it could be left dormant in a plant and therefore undetectable. Furthermore, the
rain that summer, was a lot more generous than normal, which is a clearly a diluting factor.

Currently Rede Verde is initiating further research in this field. This project plans to evaluate the quantity
of chemical products in the water and earth. The objective being to measure at what point the products
contaminate the ecosystems. By extension, we could further evaluate the degree of contamination which
we are planning to do. What is the reason for this? The short term benefit, blindly and without scruple?
At the present time our goal is to research for the quality of life. And the paradox is that this richness of
life is far from the luxuries of material life…. We must remember the responsibility we as consumers
have. At each purchase, you say loud and clear what are your values, for you and the companies you
support financially. The next time, we must think! If more of us eat organic, then more organic products
will be available at our grocery stores. Capitalism will become less central and the prices will become
more transparent: creating a fairer market place for the producers and the consumers, doesn’t this make
good sense?

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Translation for Rede Verde Conservation Network Inc.: Kimberly Ann Kendall (United States)

Rede Verde Conservation Network Inc. BN: 845495613NP0001

York street, 8 - 1st floor Moncton, NB E1C2X9 Canada
URL : www.rede-verde.org Email: info@rede-verde.org