Since the dawn of agriculture, farmers have struggled to protect crops from pests.
In ancient Persia (current-day Iran), the natural insecticide Pyrethrum, made from dried Chrysanthemum flowers, was utilized to paralyze insects that attack edible plants — and later to kill hair lice.
But by the dawn of the 20th century, large-scale mono agriculture was relying on chemicals containing arsenic, sulphur or copper to deter pests from fruit, cereals and vegetables.
All those chemical pesticides have had a profound impact on ecosystems and human health. It is why some countries have banned them, and the EU has long threatened — but failed — to outlaw glyphosate, a controversial weedkiller that threatens biodiversity and has been linked to the development of cancer. But what's the alternative?
Since the dawn of agriculture, farmers have struggled to protect crops from pests.
In ancient Persia (current-day Iran), the natural insecticide Pyrethrum, made from dried Chrysanthemum flowers, was utilized to paralyze insects that attack edible plants — and later to kill hair lice.
But by the dawn of the 20th century, large-scale mono agriculture was relying on chemicals containing arsenic, sulphur or copper to deter pests from fruit, cereals and vegetables.
All those chemical pesticides have had a profound impact on ecosystems and human health. It is why some countries have banned them, and the EU has long threatened — but failed — to outlaw glyphosate, a controversial weedkiller that threatens biodiversity and has been linked to the development of cancer. But what's the alternative?
Read more here.