Originally published October 3 2005
Agricultural groups argue for the safety of pesticides properly applied
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Soil Association and Crop Protection Association have responded to recent studies that have raised alarms about the effects of crop spraying, emphasizing that no evidence as yet exists to prove that properly applied pesticides are a danger to public health.
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report recommended more research into a possible link between pesticides and ill health.
But the Crop Protection Association, which represents UK manufacturers of pesticides, believes crop sprays are safe when used properly.
The Soil Association, representing organic farmers and food companies, backs the report and says risks should be reduced if there is uncertainty over safety.
This is not a situation where nobody has ever looked at the safety of pesticides - there is a vast amount of safety information out there and more research is always going on.
All the science suggests at the moment that there is no risk when pesticides are applied properly.
There are some people who feel that illnesses are in some way connected to the applying of pesticides - from an industry point of view our first concern is the safety of everybody that comes into contact with pesticides.
Science evolves, so regulations will evolve with it and industry will respond to that.
Of course in some cases that will have an impact on the viability of farming, but if science says we need further regulation then we just have to abide by that.
If we want that high quality food that is readily available and affordable, we have to recognise the benefits that pesticides bring.
There is a huge amount of uncertainty and unknown risk involved in pesticides.
The royal commission were asked to look particularly at the question of what happens to people who live in houses next to fields which are sprayed.
Lord Peter Melchett None of these uncertainties and risks have been admitted by the chemical industry or the government Up until now government advisers, scientists on the government's committees and government ministers have said this is absolutely safe.
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