Why use agricultural pesticides? Are they safe?

All plants are subject to harmful pest action. And, whenever they arise, there is concern about reducing or eliminating them. In all agricultural crops, which aim to produce food, natural fibers and bioenergy, fundamental to the quality of life of all people, pests occur. These are insects, mites, invasive plants, fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes that are harmful to plants, which reduce the production and quality of agricultural products. 

Therefore, farmers must use various control measures, involving legislative methods (avoid the introduction of exotic pests), genetic (resistant cultivars), cultural (crop rotation), mechanical (weeding), physical (thermotherapy), biological (biodefensive ) and chemicals (synthetic pesticides). When preventive measures are not sufficient to keep the pest population below the level of economic damage, the alternative remains to apply chemical and biological pesticides. It is estimated that if pesticides were not used, agricultural production would be reduced by half. In tropical conditions, such as in Brazil, the harmful effects of pests are even greater. 

Agricultural pesticides are extremely regulated and studied. They can only be sold after being approved by MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture), ANVISA (Ministry of Health) and IBAMA (Ministry of the Environment). They are constantly evolving, with around 12% of the value of sales being invested in research and development. Therefore, products are increasingly being used in smaller quantities. There was a 90% reduction in the dose of current pesticides compared to the doses used in the 1960s. Acute toxicity decreased more than 160 times during this period. These products can only be purchased with an Agricultural Recipe, issued by a qualified professional. 

Rural workers who handle agricultural pesticides must be trained and, throughout handling and application, must use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). They must strictly follow the instructions contained in the Agronomic Recipe, especially the dose and the withdrawal period (time between the last application and harvest). 

Therefore, food produced in Brazil is safe. There is monitoring of pesticide residues in food carried out by ANVISA, MAPA and the private sector. All results demonstrate that the quality of food produced in Brazil fully meets national and international requirements. So much so that Brazil is one of the largest food exporters in the world, for many countries it is extremely strict regarding quality standards. 

Agricultural pesticide packaging has an appropriate destination. Brazil is a world leader in collecting and sending empty packaging for recycling. Around 94% of packaging used by farmers is collected and transformed into useful materials. A good example of a circular economy and a model for other packaging used by urban society. 

In view of this, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that agricultural pesticides are causing toxicological or environmental problems in Brazil. Furthermore, there has been an increase in the use of biological pesticides of around 30% per year. Agriculture is always in search of sustainability, contributing to the quality of life of people in Brazil and the world.

JO Menten

Agronomist, Senior Professor USP/ESALQ