The Oregon and Washington State Departments of Agriculture (ODA and WSDA) have issued statements on Agro Gold, which is sold as an adjuvant to be used with Weed Slayer herbicide.
2020 LIVE certification is not at risk for those who have used this product.
From ODA
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has analytical results indicating that the product Agro Gold WS Biological Amendment, manufactured by Agro Research International, LLC, contains pesticide active ingredients, Diquat and Glyphosate, which are not listed on the label. This advisory is based on laboratory testing and confirmation of undeclared pesticide active ingredients.
Growers of all crops and retailers are advised to discontinue using or selling Agro Gold WS Biological Amendment until further notice. The Department has issued a statewide Stop, Sale or Removal Order and is working with the manufacturer to rectify the situation.
For additional information or questions, please contact ODA at (503) 986-4635, email pestx@oda.state.or.us or visit our website at: https://oda.direct/PesticidesCurrentIssues.
From WSDA
On December 4, 2020, WSDA Organic Program received notice from the USDA National Organic Program that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) issued a Stop Use notice for the product AGRO GOLD WS. CDFA detected synthetic herbicides, Diquat and Glyphosate, within AGRO GOLD WS.
AGRO GOLD WS is a fertilizing amendment that is co-packed with the product Weed Slayer, manufactured by Agro Research International LLC. In 2020, the WSDA Organic Program issued an organic input material registration to Agro Research LLC which listed AGRO GOLD WS and Weed Slayer as inputs approved for use in organic agriculture. As of December 1, 2020, the registration for Agro Research International LLC has expired. These products are not currently approved for use in organic agriculture by WSDA Organic Program.
You have either AGRO GOLD WS or Weed Slayer listed in your Organic System Plan as an input material you may use on organic sites. The use of these inputs in 2020 prior to this notification will not negatively impact the organic status or eligibility of your WSDA certified organic or transitional sites. However, use of these products on your certified sites after receipt of this notice is not approved. Continued use of the unapproved products may jeopardize the certification of your business and sites.
Please contact our office to update your Organic System Plan with an alternative input material or with any questions about organic certification requirements and claims.
