Future Role of Pesticides in US Agriculture

Although chemical pesticides safeguard crops and improve farm productivity, they are increasingly feared for their potentially dangerous residues and their effects on ecosystems.

The Future Role of Pesticides explores the role of chemical pesticides in the decade ahead and identifies the most promising opportunities for increasing the benefits and reducing the risks of pesticide use. The committee recommends R&D, program, and policy initiatives for federal agriculture authorities and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors. This book presents clear overviews of key factors in chemical pesticide use, including:

• Advances in genetic engineering not only of pest-resistant crops but also of pests themselves.
• Problems in pesticide use—concerns about the health of agricultural workers, the ability of pests to develop resistance, issues of public perception, and more.
• Impending shifts in agriculture—globalization of the economy, biological "invasions" of organisms, rising sensitivity toward cross-border environmental issues, and other trends.

With a model and working examples, this book offers guidance on how to assess various pest control strategies available to today's agriculturist.

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• 1 History and Context
• 2 Benefits, Costs, and Contemporary Use Patterns
• 3 Economic and Regulatory Changes and the Future of Pest Management
• 4 Technological and Biological Changes and the Future of Pest Management
• 5 Evaluation of Pest-Control Strategies
• 6 Conclusions and Recommendations
• Appendix A Selected National Research Council Publications about Pesticides
• Appendix B Workshop Agendas
• Appendix C About the Authors
• Index