THE USE OF PESTICIDES ON THE SUGAR BEET CROP

摘要

THE use of crop protection chemicals, sometimes called pesticides, is a necessary part of 'good agricultural practice' relating to the growing of the UK sugar beet crop. There are times when the popular press fans peoples' fears by suggesting that using pesticides is 'not natural' and presents an unacceptable risk to human health, wildlife and the environment. There is no doubt that some of the pesticides first used on arable crops in the last century, such as nicotine, arsenic and cyanide, were highly toxic and hazardous. But the crop protection industry has moved on, in response to demand for regular affordable food supplies.