Organic tree fruit growers in the Pacific Northwest are concerned that the National Organic Standards Board might drop its approval of the antibiotic Mycoshield (oxytetracycline or tetracycline) for organic production in 2012. The product is used to manage fireblight in apples and pears. The NOSB has a list of more than 200 products that are synthetic, but allowed in organic production. Under a sunset clause, products that have been on the list for five years are removed, unless the board decides otherwise, according to Marty Beagle, program manager for the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Organic Program. Dr. Mike Willett, […]