Thermal Pest Control Agriculture
Thermal Pest Control (TPC) is a completely unique approach to pest management in the production of fruits and vegetables. TPC patented technology enables growers to grow fruits and vegetables from blossom to harvest without the use of any pesticides, thus eliminating the farm use of such agricultural chemicals on the edible portion of fruits and vegetables. TPC protocols allow growers to use either "organic" or "conventional" pesticides during dormancy and prior to blossom as well as after harvest to deal with pest issues as needed.
TPC compared to Organic
"Organic" agriculture is very different from TPC agriculture, giving both the retailer and consumer clear choices. Food that is sold as "certified organic" has been grown based on a rigorous set of requirements. First, a grower must create an organic environment on his land, eliminating the use of synthetic chemicals or fertilizers for a period of three years before a farm can qualify as a "certified organic" producer. Once certified as an organic producer, organic agricultural production practices allow the use of "natural" chemical pesticides to kill insects and manage fungus problems. Natural pesticides are used on the edible portions of fruits and vegetables. To learn more about organic pesticides, view this web source at Clemson University; http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC2756.htm.
A comparison study between synthetic and natural pesticides showed that in high-dose tests, "a high proportion of both natural and synthetic chemicals are carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, and clastogens (30-50% for each group)". An abstract of this study can be found on the National Academy of Sciences website at www.pnas.org/content/87/19/7782.abstract. An excellent summary of the continuing "natural" chemical use in organic agriculture was produced by a researcher working at University of California, Berkeley, found at www.ocf.berkeley.edu/%7Elhom/organictext.html.
TPC does not require growers to create an organic environment for their crops nor does TPC require the use of "natural" fertilizers. This is one major difference between TPC and Organic. The second major difference is that NO chemicals may be applied under TPC protocols between blossom and harvest while natural pesticides may be used in organic production.
TPC makes one exception to these protocols for table grapes where growers may need to use natural sulfur as a mildew-preventing fungicide. If this occurs, the certification logo label will read: "WOW, I’m certified grown without pesticides, except for organic treatments if needed". In all cases, table grapes and other produce, no insecticides or herbicides are allowed while edible food is on the plant.
The WOW Logo and Certification
Fruit grown to the specific protocols defined by Lazo TPC Global, Inc. and its independent certification company, will receive the logo "WOW, I’m Certified Grown Without Pesticides" or in the case of table grapes "WOW, I’m Certified Grown Without Pesticides, Except for Organic Treatments if Needed". The WOW logo is the retailer and consumer guarantee that the fruits or vegetables carrying the WOW logo have been grown to the specific requirements of Lazo TPC Global, Inc. There are some very important aspects to these protocols that should be understood by anyone buying WOW labeled produce carrying the WOW logo:
- The protocols, or pest management practices, only apply to that period of the growing cycle when there is edible produce on the plant. This is defined as from "Blossom to Harvest". This means that no pesticides (insecticides, fungicides or herbicides) can be applied while edible produce is on the plant.
- The WOW protocols permits growers to use organic or conventional pesticides during dormancy or after the edible produce has been harvested.
- The TPC certification only applies to produce while on the plant. Lazo TPC Global, Inc. and its certifier cannot control what may happen in post harvest handling and treatment, since these issues are frequently not under the control of Lazo TPC Global, Inc. or it’s growers.
- TPC grown fruit will be randomly sampled to test for pesticide residues. If residues are found at unacceptable levels, the certifier will deny use of the WOW logo.