20. #Pesticides: More sustainable pest control: what does the future look like?

There have been few issues in the European political spectrum to ignite civic action quite like the use of pesticides. Over the years the EU has responded, issuing a series of directives to limit chemical pesticides and drive towards more sustainable pesticide use through what’s known as Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. This is about harnessing natural methods, processes and predators in the ecology in and around fields to control pests and increase the health and yield of crops. This summer, the European Commission tabled legislation to reduce synthetic pesticide use and risk by fifty per cent by 2030, complete with an IPM toolbox for farmers with practical help, advice and incentives within the Common Agricultural Policy. Episode 20 in the DG Agri podcast series Food for Europe focuses on pesticides. We meet a Belgian farmer who’s been putting IPM into action for years … and reaping the rewards. We talk to the Commission on the drivers behind the new legislation, not least the European Green Deal. And a French scientist walks us through the latest alternative, more environmentally friendly pesticides.