Pesticides

Pesticides are a group of chemically different substances, which are mainly used in order to reduce yield losses caused by the competition from weeds, diseases and pests.

Pesticides and their metabolites are today frequently found in our environment due to the large consumption over the years, the way that pesticides have been handled and the fact that pesticide remnants have been for numerous dumped in the soil.

Denmark in 1979 took decisive action to regulate the use of  pesticides and fertilisers in the Chemical Substances and Products Act, this was followed up later by an amendment in 1987, with the aim of reducing the consumption of pesticides and preventing further pollution of our environment. The plan was to reach a reduction by 25% in 1990 and a further 25% by 1997.

Only pesticides tested and approved by authorities in the country where they are going to be used, must be used.

Today we have a number of alternatives to the conventional chemical methods which can totally or partially replace the use of pesticides. Some alternatives have focussed on the cultivation practices, others on new technology and some on using natural predators. In recent years there has been increasingly focus on how farmers and gardener can limit spills during filling and draining of the sprayers.