---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 C.F.R. § 205.206"
title: "7"
number: "205.206"
heading: "Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/7/205.206"
---

# §205.206. Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard.

- (a) The producer must use management practices to prevent crop pests, weeds, and diseases including but not limited to:
  - (1) Crop rotation and soil and crop nutrient management practices, as provided for in §§ [205.203](/cfr/7/205.203.md) and [205.205](/cfr/7/205.205.md);
  - (2) Sanitation measures to remove disease vectors, weed seeds, and habitat for pest organisms; and
  - (3) Cultural practices that enhance crop health, including selection of plant species and varieties with regard to suitability to site-specific conditions and resistance to prevalent pests, weeds, and diseases.
- (b) Pest problems may be controlled through mechanical or physical methods including but not limited to:
  - (1) Augmentation or introduction of predators or parasites of the pest species;
  - (2) Development of habitat for natural enemies of pests;
  - (3) **Nonsynthetic controls such as lures, traps, and repellents.**
- (c) Weed problems may be controlled through:
  - (1) Mulching with fully biodegradable materials;
  - (2) Mowing;
  - (3) Livestock grazing;
  - (4) Hand weeding and mechanical cultivation;
  - (5) Flame, heat, or electrical means; or
  - (6) **Plastic or other synthetic mulches—** Provided, That, they are removed from the field at the end of the growing or harvest season.
- (d) Disease problems may be controlled through:
  - (1) Management practices which suppress the spread of disease organisms; or
  - (2) **Application of nonsynthetic biological, botanical, or mineral inputs.**
- (e) When the practices provided for in [paragraphs (a) through (d)](#a..d) of this section are insufficient to prevent or control crop pests, weeds, and diseases, a biological or botanical substance or a substance included on the National List of synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production may be applied to prevent, suppress, or control pests, weeds, or diseases: Provided, That, the conditions for using the substance are documented in the organic system plan.
- (f) The producer must not use lumber treated with arsenate or other prohibited materials for new installations or replacement purposes in contact with soil or livestock.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501-6524.

### Source

Source: 65 FR 80637, Dec. 21, 2000, unless otherwise noted.