Pesticides, environment, and food safety

Agrochemicals have enabled to more than duplicate food production during the last century, and the current need to increase food production to feed a rapid growing human population maintains pressure on the intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers. However, worldwide surveys have documented the c...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food and energy security 2017-05, Vol.6 (2), p.48-60
Main Author: Carvalho, Fernando P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural practices
Agriculture
Agrochemicals
Agronomy
Aquaculture
Aquatic ecosystems
Biodegradability
Biodegradation
Biota
Chemicals
Coastal environments
Contaminants
Diet
Ecosystem protection
Ecosystems
Education
Environmental aspects
environmental health
Environmental protection
Farming
Fertilizers
Fisheries
Food
Food contamination
Food industry
Food production
Food quality
Food safety
Food technology
Genetic engineering
Genetically altered foods
Genetically engineered organisms
Genetically modified organisms
Human food
Human populations
Industry
Licensing
Organic chemicals
Organic chemistry
Organic farming
Pesticides
Plant protection
Pressure
Protection
Public health
Residues
Risk assessment
Safety and security measures
Soil
Surveys
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable development
Sustainable practices
Water quality
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Agrochemicals have enabled to more than duplicate food production during the last century, and the current need to increase food production to feed a rapid growing human population maintains pressure on the intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers. However, worldwide surveys have documented the contamination and impact of agrochemical residues in soils, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including coastal marine systems, and their toxic effects on humans and nonhuman biota. Although persistent organic chemicals have been phased out and replaced by more biodegradable chemicals, contamination by legacy residues and recent residues still impacts on the quality of human food, water, and environment. Current and future increase in food production must go along with production of food with better quality and with less toxic contaminants. Alternative paths to the intensive use of crop protection chemicals are open, such as genetically engineered organisms, organic farming, change of dietary habits, and development of food technologies. Agro industries need to further develop advanced practices to protect public health, which requires more cautious use of agrochemicals through prior testing, careful risk assessment, and licensing, but also through education of farmers and users in general, measures for better protection of ecosystems, and good practices for sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture. Enhanced scientific research for new developments in food production and food safety, as well as for environmental protection, is a necessary part of this endeavor. Furthermore, worldwide agreement on good agriculture practices, including development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their release for international agriculture, may be urgent to ensure the success of safe food production. Current need to increase food production to feed a rapid growing human population maintains the pressure on the intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers. Residues of these chemicals are already present in all ecosystems on Earth and therefore in our food and bodies, with toxic effects on humans and nonhuman biota. Current and future increase in food production must go along with production of food with better quality and with less toxic contaminants. Scientific research for new developments in food production and enhanced food safety, as well as environmental protection, is a necessary part of this. A worldwide agreement on good agriculture
ISSN:2048-3694
2048-3694
DOI:10.1002/fes3.108