Organic beekeeping is much more than just not using pesticides/antibiotics. One of the requirements to produce "Organic Honey" , as according to the USDA, is to not use plastics, at all in the hive. No plastic foundation, plastic bottom board or plastic queen excluder. Metal and wood are fine, as far as I'm aware. While I, like many here (my own guess, but, I think most) would like to see that chemicals, especially contaminating ones, aren't used in the hive. Thank god napethaline and calcium-cyanide aren't still used when storing combs for the winter! I myself, used powdererd sugar and, in the spring, Apiguard. I haven't medicated for American Foulbrood given, I justdont' see a reason to. All it does is PREVENT the spores from gerrminating, it won't kill them. And, given we have Terramycin resistant AFB in Florida, and the rules are so strict (full hive burning, bottomboard to cover).I have the stuff, on hand, incase one of my hives gets it and I change my mind but, hopefully, that won't happen.