Crop Protection key to Environmental Protection

Crop protection is vital not only in securing Europe’s future food needs, but also in protecting its biodiversity and wildlife. That was the message delivered by Dominic Dyer, Crop Protection Association CEO when opening the 11th Annual Ag Chem Forum in Barcelona today.

’For too long we have allowed environmental pressure groups and green campaigners to monopolise the debate on sustainable agriculture by demonising the use of pesticides,’ he said.

’Over the past three decades the crop protection industry has taken huge steps to improve the sustainable use of pesticides, through smarter, environmentally friendly chemistry, more effective, targeted application of products and improved stewardship working with the food chain.

’The hard fact is that with limited land available in Europe for food production, crop protection is vital in maximising yields on existing farmland, without putting more pressure on biodiversity and wildlife.

’On a global level, without the use of pesticides agricultural production in Europe will decline, leading to more food imports. Europe is already importing around 40 per cent of its food needs and any increase in this figure will put even more pressure on precious environmental resources in other parts of the world,’ concluded Mr Dyer.