The Pesticide Detox

* Exposes the massive hidden health and environmental costs of rampant pesticide use * Presents an array of cheaper, safer alternatives to pesticides used by millions of farmers around the world * Written by leading international agricultural and biological scientists supported by The Global Integrated Pest Management Facility of the FAO Since the 1960s the world's population has more than doubled and agricultural production per person has increased by a third, largely because of widespread pesticide use. Yet this growth in production has masked enormous hidden costs -- massive ecological damage and high incidences of farmer poisoning and chronic health effects. Yet in recent years millions of farmers in communities around the world have been identifying harmful pesticides and developing cheaper and safer alternatives. "The Pesticide Detox" explores the potential for the phasing-out of hazardous pesticides and the phasing-in of cost-effective alternatives already available on the market. This book makes clear that it is time to start the pesticide detox and to move towards a more sustainable agriculture.

Jules Pretty is Professor of Environment and Society, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, UK.