Controlling agricultural chemicals

Agricultural chemicals include herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and fertilizers. They are used on agricultural land to protect crops from pests and diseases and to raise land fertility in order to increase agricultural yield per unit land. However, their mismanagement or over-application can lead to detrimental environmental impacts such as toxic pollution of food and drinking water. Agricultural chemical licensing, handling and application need to be controlled by properly enforced and monitored regulations.

Some high-income countries are defining agricultural practices necessary to protect ecosystems. In Denmark, fertilizer plans are required.

1. Using synthetic pesticides with care
2. Managing local agricultural resources
3. Improving legal environment for agricultural production
4. Controlling pollution

1. Restricting chemical pesticides
2. Labelling agrochemicals
3. Controlling use of herbicides
4. Controlling use of fertilizers
5. Avoiding diffuse pollution of agricultural chemicals

1. Using biological pest control
2. Reducing pesticides as pollutants
3. Promoting effective use of fertilizers
4. Preventing pollution
5. Improving hazardous waste management

1. Using integrated pest management
2. Running demonstration projects in ecological farming
3. Registering potential toxic chemicals
4. Investigating interaction between agriculture and environment
5. Campaigning against the use of pesticides

1. Using fungicides

1. Controlling agricultural pests

1. Challenges in Environmental Health: Closing the Gap between Evidence and Regulations