Pesticides are relevant for environmental protection in that they can contaminate nearby biotopes and groundwater via (a) drifting of pesticides or contaminated dressing agents or (b) cropland run-off. Environmental impactĮver more intensive farming and increasing energy-crop cultivation have drastically changed the conditions under which pesticides are used in Germany. Hence large scale use of pesticides in the biosphere entails not only benefits for farm production, but also entails a high level of risk for nature, groundwater and biodiversity. As most pesticides have a wide application domain, they can also have adverse effects on benign plants and animals.

Herbicides account for the lion’s share (40 per cent) of the pesticides used in Germany. And while pesticide sales figures do not necessarily reflect actual pesticide use (because growers often stock up on pesticides when prices are low), these figures nonetheless provide a reasonably accurate picture of the massive amounts of pesticides that are sprayed on German crops year in and year out. Around 40,000 tons of pesticides are sold in Germany annually, and in 2011 a new record was set in this domain (43,000 tons). As of 2011, some 250 chemicals were being used in a total of 691 different pesticides. Pesticides protect crop plants and crops from various pests such as insects that feed on (a) leaves, grain and the like (b) field weeds and (c) pests that attack stored products. Pesticides are chemical or biological substances that are used by farmers to kill undesirable organisms.

Effects of insecticides and pesticides