International institutions and United Nations bodies fail to appreciate the contribution of organic farming as a truly sustainable form of agriculture. Pesticide problems continue: while the most effective way to reduce the risk is not use them-and this is precisely what organic agriculture successfully achieves on millions of hectares all over the world.
The environmental problems that accompany the use of pesticides are serious, and health problems are not abating: the World Health Organisation Statistics Quarterly states that as many as 25 million agricultural workers in the developing world may suffer at least one incident of pesticide poisoning each year. Fundamental changes in the way we practise agriculture are essential, going beyond using a bit less pesticides, optimising spray equipment or providing instructions to farmers who cannot read.
In the debate on pesticide risk reduction a curative approach prevails, and the favoured solution to address pesticide problems is integrated pest management (IPM)*, which may slow down the problems, but does not avoid them. The organic farming message and practise believes that avoiding problems is preferable.
No comments:
Post a Comment