The use of pesticides in agriculture, (which accounts for the majority of pesticide use worldwide) is also creating an issue with the fact that many insects are developing a natural resistance to the pesticides that have been previously used. Farmers and others in the agricultural industry have been responding to this in many cases by simply using much more than the recommended amount of pesticide to have the same controlling effect on the insect population. This obviously is very detrimental to the environment and should be discouraged or outlawed, although the underlying issue is still a massive problem for the use of chemical pesticides as a solution to insect problems.
Another drawback that has been raised is the fact that because of the strength of the chemicals necessary to achieve the desired effects, it may be the case in some situations that the manufacturers producing these products are polluting the environment at the site of production. Although government regulations have been put in place to eliminate this, it still occurs with more regularity than should be accepted, and perhaps stricter punishments for those companies found to be violating these regulations would do more to eliminate the problem entirely.
This concern has been ameliorated somewhat by the adoption of regulations aimed at making sure that those companies that produce pesticides abide by common sense environmental protections and are punished with fines and levies if they should overstep their boundaries. Although this system is not perfect and accidents still occur, it has been sufficient to keep the environment reasonably safe while still allowing for the beneficial effects of pesticide production.
The Future of Pesticide Production and Use
Because there is no easy answer to the debate over pesticide safety, with both the pros and cons being represented, it is unclear the direction that the industry will take in the future. It is most likely to continue the way it has, with advances in technology making pesticides safer for the general public while still controlling the pests that destroy food and make our lives miserable on occasion.
The regulatory framework will also play a part in the future, although it is much harder to anticipate what direction this will take as it is subject to many different interest groups and changes in the overall environment of public opinion.
Article comments
1 - Anonyman
Your Article was different than the usual Pesticide talk, you actually seem to understand the value of pesticides and the unfounded ACTIVIST statements made against pesticide use.
I would like to clarify that Organic or OMRI Approved Pesticides are not safer. You indicated that Synthetic pesticides are linked to cancer in Laboratory Animals.
D-Limonene an OMRI Approved pesticide for Organic Food Crops and Lawns is Linked to Cancer as well. (Renal Tumors in Male Rats). The product in question is Avenger Organic Weed Killer.