PESTICIDES,POLICIESAND PEOPLE
A Guide to the Issues

by Peter Beaumont

Is the present level of pesticide use sustainable? Pesticides have brought benefits in terms of increased food production, and have improved public heath. But many pest populations have development resistance to pesticides, and human and environmental health hazards are now becoming apparent.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, for example, has recently concluded that the 'spraying and application of ... insecticides entail exposures that are probably carcinogenic to humans'.

Recently a number of organisations have called for a reduction in the use of pesticides. The British Medical Association, the National Rivers Authority, and the Royal commission on Environmental Pollution have all called for a programme of reduced use. In Europe, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands have for different reasons, embarked on programmes of pesticide reduction.

The book surveys the issues in pesticide use including the following:

It argues that a policy for pesticides must go beyond looking at one chemical at a time. A reduction policy for pesticides aims not only to reduce the amount used, but also to reduce the dependence of agriculture on chemicals and to reduce risks to health and the environment.

This book presents the facts and the case for change to show that health, the environment and agriculture will benefit from reductions in pesticide use.

Did you know?

Published in 1993 by:

⌐ The Pesticides Trust


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