UIPP conference "Is pesticide use socially acceptable?" 
Thursday 28th of June 2001 

 The principle of the benefits of using pesticides has never been questioned : 

" Can one do without them ?", asks Jean Gaubert, Deputy of the Côtes d'Armor area. The answer seems to be " no ", considering an increasing world population, the risk of loosing a harvest or the need for good quality products at a low price. 

" Considering the fact that people like to be more involved in their fate - so-called participative democracy", underlined Senator Jean Bizet, " it is necessary to inform consumers in a better way".

 Zero risk does not exist.
Everybody agrees that no risk at all can not represent a scientific objective. Research should, however, focus on means for achieving 0 residues. The aim is to have more environmentally and human friendly products. Farmers are being asked to develop a global and integrated approach of plant protection on their farm. Precision agriculture has been mentioned as a solution for the future.

 People will only be confident if knowledge is shared…
The aim is to reduce the current gap between experts overall and consumers, which is due to the fact that the former have access to and the latter do not. But, altough knowledge these days is easily accessible, it appears difficult to take the challenge.

A number of leads are considered :

	develop " traceability ": a tool which allows information and allows to react rapidly and in a precise way when a problem occurs,
	apply the precautionary principle, when justified, and assess all its consequences : it could also be called " coherence principle",
	involve citizens from the beginning, not to inform them on the scientific aspects of innovative technology, but to identify the questions ahead and give leads to scientific research.

A video on the main issues of this debate can be found on our website