Putting pesticides in perspective

There’s been a great deal of debate about pesticides in the news lately, their use regularly divides opinion and attracts controversy. However, pesticides are a fundamental part of modern food production and are often subject to a great deal of misunderstanding.

 

Our food crops have to compete with 30,000 species of weeds, 10,000 species of insect pests, and countless diseases. Without crop protection, these natural pests would reduce our food supply by around a third.

 

Feeding a global population set to reach 9.5 billion by 2050, in the face of climate change, pressure on finite natural resources and dietary preferences, will require a 70% increase in agricultural productivity.

 

Farmers will need to use every available technology – including pesticides – to ensure crop protection keeps pace with this burgeoning demand while protecting the natural environment and conserving precious natural resources.

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