1.4 Insecticides: Q & A

ARE PESTICIDES REALLY NECESSARY?

Plants themselves naturally produce a wide range of chemicals to protect themselves against pests, but these are not enough to prevent large losses of food crops. In fact, it is estimated that between 35% and 40% of all crops would be lost to insects, weeds and disease without appropriate pesticide use1. The effective use of pesticides helps growers to grow more from less, increasing food security for millions of people by reducing crop losses resulting from insects, weeds and diseases. (1Oerke E C and Dehne H W; "Safeguarding Production – Losses in Major Crops and the Role of Crop Protection"; Crop Protection 23 (2004): 275-285.)

WASN’T FOOD A LOT HEALTHIER BEFORE THE WIDESPREAD USE OF PESTICIDES?

Food was not healthier before pesticides: infestation with dangerous pests and disease was common and persistent. The use of pesticides has enabled farmers to produce a more abundant supply of safe, affordable, fresh food than ever before, supporting healthy diets around the world. Pesticides themselves do not make food unhealthy and residues in fruit and vegetables are highly regulated to remain well within safety levels (see next question).

DO PESTICIDES NEGATIVELY IMPACT HUMAN HEALTH OR CONTAMINATE THE ENVIRONMENT?

Modern pesticides are designed with three things in mind – they must be safe, they must be specific to their target and they must be short-lived, breaking down harmlessly shortly after achieving their aim. They are only approved for use after extensive testing for any potential effect on human health or the environment. Pesticide residues in food are highly regulated and constantly monitored. Maximum legal levels are typically 100 times lower than needed for safety and there is no evidence that the miniscule residue sometimes left on fruit and vegetables has any effect on human health. All our products are also tested extensively to make sure that they do not have a negative impact on the environment, biodiversity or waterways when used as recommended. Pesticides can also bring environmental benefits by reducing the need for tilling thereby increasing soil vitality, reducing erosion, and improving the quality of the land.

IS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE BETTER THAN AGRICULTURE USING NEW TECHNOLOGIES?

Objective scientific research has led many food safety agencies around the world to conclude that organic food is not safer or more nutritious than food produced with agronomic practices that include the use of modern pesticides. Contrary to common belief, organic farmers are allowed to use a range of pesticides and toxic chemicals on their crops – either those obtained from natural sources or those that are considered traditional practices.

WHY ARE PESTICIDES ALLOWED IN ONE COUNTRY AND BANNED IN ANOTHER?

Pesticides are developed to tackle specific issues in specific locations. Variations in climate or localized pest and diseases mean that a product used to treat crops in one country may not be suitable to treat the same crops in another country. Regulations are often developed on a country level and regulatory bodies will only approve a product if there is a real need for them in their country to secure food production and food security. This means that while a certain product has been approved for use in one location it will not necessarily be approved for use in another. This is not an indication of the safety of its ingredients or that a product has been ‘banned’ in a particular country, it is merely that it has not been registered or re-registered there.

Read more about the regulation and registration of crop protection chemicals