Photographer : Gordon Waddell |
What is a pesticide?A pesticide is a chemical that protects plants and animals from various harmful pests. Pesticides are typically divided into four categories:
- insecticides kill unwanted insects
- herbicides kill unwanted plants, such as weeds
- fungicides kill unwanted fungus
- growth promotants help plants and animals grow bigger than normal.
Most plants produce their own natural pesticides, however many farmers now use artificial pesticides to protect their crops. Most pesticides work like a nerve agent, breaking down the central nerve endings of the plants or animals they kill.
So, what’s the debate?Many people, including farmers, argue that pesticides are necessary for global trade. Many countries won’t buy food that hasn’t been properly sprayed with pesticides. Others argue that without pesticides, most of the world’s crops would die. Prices for food would rise tremendously, and land would have to be ploughed more, which would lead to over-farming and land destruction.
Those who argue against pesticide use warn of the health risks involved. If pesticides are directly inhaled or consumed (if you’re around the spraying area, or there is still some residue on the food you’re eating), they can lead to symptoms ranging from fatigue and skin rashes to nausea and even death. Pesticides can also run off into waterways, polluting streams and rivers.
Because pesticides are chemical-based, they often do not decompose properly, and can remain in soil and water for years.
Do Australian farmers use pesticides?Yes. But if you’re worried, you should know that Australian farmers use substantially fewer pesticides than farmers in the US or UK.
The most popular kind of pesticide used in Australia is herbicide. Glyphosate herbicides are used most often. Glyphosates are non-selective herbicides, which mean they kill any kind of plant they come into contact with. This means that the crops that farmers want to survive the herbicide must be genetically modified.
How do I know this?Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering,
Pesticide use in Australia,
http://www.atse.org.au/uploads/Pesticide%20Use%20i...Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
http://www.affa.gov.au/content/ministers.cfmBrandon, H 2002, 'Doing a world of good: benefits of pesticides',
Delta Farm Press, 3 May,
http://deltafarmpress.com/mag/farming_doing_world_...Food Standards Australia and New Zealand,
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/mediareleasespubli...Organophosphate Insecticides,
http://npic.orst.edu/RMPP/rmpp_ch4.pdfWikipedia Free Encyclopedia,
Fungicide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FungicideWikipeida Free Encyclopedia,
Herbicide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbicide
