World Day for the Non-Use of Pesticides

"The health of the land and the health of people go hand in hand".

Anonymous

Every third of December, the day of the NO use of pesticides is commemorated worldwide, because on a day like today, in 1984, a serious incident occurred in India: there was a leak in a pesticide factory causing the death of more than 25 thousand people and affecting many others with deformities and subsequent illnesses, not to mention the environmental disaster also generated. Therefore, remembering this date is very important to preserve the health of ecosystems and people, but what are pesticides? What are they used for? Since when? What damage do they cause? Are there ways to avoid their use?

According to international bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), "a pesticide is any substance intended to prevent, destroy, attract, repel or control any pest, including unwanted species of plants or animals", throughout the entire production cycle, i.e. from planting in the field to the consumer's table.

These animals (insects, arachnids, nematodes, etc.) and plants (weeds) that are to be eliminated or repelled are considered pests because they cause some kind of damage or harm to some other plant or animal of interest. 

Pesticides, then, are currently used to combat insects or weeds that are causing problems in the production system. But this was not always the case...

Between approximately 1930 and 1940, these products began to be used in the fields, but not specifically to combat crop pests, but as tools of war. Yes, you read that right. Pesticides emerged as chemical weapons of war, herbicides such as Agent Orange were defoliants used in Vietnam to make the trees lose their leaves and thus make it easier to find the soldiers of the opposing side who were hiding. After the war, this chemical continued to be used in the production of our food. SThe new system has been widely used throughout the world for many years.But do pesticides only kill the insects or "weeds" that are a problem? The answer is no, and therein lies the main problem...

Please note that, thanks to our partners, we had the opportunity to organise a show of excellence at both the organisational and academic level through top quality lectures and presentations. The wider community attending the congress had the opportunity to enjoy the scientific material presented by several major players in international life care.

It is important to note that thanks to this convention, we had the opportunity to enjoy a rich scientific programme that included keynote lectures, scientific sessions, workshops and other cultural activities. As the quote goes:

"The land is not an inheritance from our fathers, but a loan from our children".
We cannot underestimate the importance of caring for our planet for future generations.