Need-Based Use Programs for Insecticides Work: Protect Our Health and the Environment, Save Insecticide Seed Coatings for Real Pest Problems
Rather than automatically coating seeds with unnecessary and high-risk insecticides, these chemicals should only be used when really needed.
Pesticide-treated corn seeds in an agricultural seeder
Credit: Dreamstime
Despite growing concerns about the threats that pesticides pose to our environment and our health, chemical companies often push sales of insecticides that farmers simply don’t need—especially when it comes to pre-applied coatings on crop seeds. Need-based use programs for insecticide-coated seeds would help farmers avoid unnecessary costs and save these hazardous chemicals for situations where they’re actually needed.
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