On 7 February 2023, Aaron Scheid, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, took stock of pesticides in agriculture and discussed possible alternatives.

Diverse crop rotation, mechanical weed control, beneficial insects to protect crops: According to a study commissioned by BUND, standard practice in organic farming could also be used more often by conventional farmers. Aaron Scheid from the Ecologic Institute and author of the study in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio about non chemical plant protection measures.

The study for BUND provides scientific input for the discussion on more environmentally friendly crop protection in the future. It provides an overview of the potentials and barriers associated with alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides, as well as approaches on the implementation of integrated pest management that have so far been given too little consideration. The study is available for download.

Pesticide reduction, which is urgently needed, is already anchored as a goal in the German coalition agreement between SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP and also in the EU Commission's Farm to Fork Strategy. However, in order to motivate farmers to use non-chemical alternatives, some adjustments are still necessary. A financial compensation is an important part of this. We cordially invite you to the launch of the BUND study "Alternatives to chemical-synthetic pesticides in agriculture" and appreciate your interest.

The discussion about possible alternatives to conventional pesticides has gained momentum in recent years with the announcement of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy. The European Commission proposes a 50 percent reduction in synthetic and hazardous pesticides by 2030. But what are possible alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides? This infographic from Ecologic Institute shows indirect and direct non chemical crop protection measures.

What are possible alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides without promoting the renaissance of genetic engineering? This brief study intends to provide an overview of the current state of science on possible alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides and to be understandable for non-experts.