“In some cases we can reduce applications of existing pesticides by precision monitoring or complementing with biocontrol. In other cases we’ll need to substitute old for new, for example biopesticides that are compatible with biocontrol and other IPM tools”

According to recent media reports the European Commission seems poised to ban some of Europe’s most widely used pesticides to protect bees and other pollinators, but is the move likely to have an impact on food production and security? Scientists at the James Hutton Institute have demonstrated that many farmers can reduce agrochemical inputs by using alternative pest control methods without reducing yield or quality.

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This article was originally posted by The James Hutton Institute