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PPE

Negotiating future food production safely

As early as 2500 BC, Sumerian farmers used sulphur to control insects and mites on their crops, illustrating the long history of chemical use in agriculture. 

Today, the drive to do away with agrichemicals has never been stronger. Pressure groups in Europe want a full phase-out of chemical pesticides by 2035. But exporters worldwide are following these developments with a measure of concern. Removing certain registered chemicals without replacements could potentially place food security at risk, or significantly increase production costs.

Chemical activism is nothing new. As early as the 1950s agriculturists were forced to rethink their production strategies when chemical resistance was first recognised as a problem. By the 1970s environmentalists, social-political activists, academics, and agriculturists turned to the integrated management of pests as the holy grail of future agriculture. In SA, the deciduous fruit industry has supported an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme for the past 35 years and has campaigned for the responsible use of chemicals.

From June 2024, the phasing out of agricultural remedies has entered a new phase. Did you know that it is illegal to apply a pesticide in any manner that is not stated on the product label? If you are buying a pesticide product, it remains your responsibility to apply the product strictly according to label directions, regardless of whether or not you received advice or recommendations for use from a designated person.
With the assistance of CropLife and other stakeholders, Hortgro would like to share several documents regarding safe food production.

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