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Biological pest control: Needs and opportunities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Waldemar Klassen
Waldemar Klassen
Affiliation:
Associate Deputy Administrator for Plant and Natural Resource Sciences, National Program Staff, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705.
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Abstract

The extent to which pests should be managed by biological versus chemical methods has been a burning public policy issue since about 1950. A thorough policy analysis is needed to facilitate movement beyond the status quo. Such analysis should: a) review the extent of adoption of ecologically selective methods of pest control that have emerged from the last three decades of research, b) examine changes in policies, legislation and institutional arrangements that would foster more rapid and widespread adoption of environmentally benign pest controls, c) assess the role of biological controls in facilitating survival of farms during periods of economic adversity and in increasing the competitiveness of American agriculture, d) evaluate opportunities to use ecologically selective pest controls to improve water quality, to reduce environmental impacts of pests and of farming practices, and to preserve the usefulness of pest-resistant crop cultivars and pesticides, and e) identify options and mechanisms to further increase the flow of private and public resources into biocontrol research, development and implementation. A committee of highly accomplished and respected citizens needs to be formed to conduct a thorough analysis of the above and other issues related to the long-term economic viability of farming and to the development and widespread adoption of agricultural practices that will conserve and improve the resource base, and that are devoid of negative impacts on the environment and public health.

Keywords

Rachel CarsonSilent Spring1962pesticide residuescranberriesmilkbiocontrolpublic policyground water protectionplant toxinsmutagensoncogens
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 3 , Issue 2-3 , Spring-Summer 1988 , pp. 117 - 122
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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