Various
Viruses Visited
Baculoviruses represent 0.2% of the market for
biological pesticides, which is itself only 1% of the insecticide market. This
report is one of the latest in Agrow’s series, and differs from most in giving
as much space to describing the science and applications of baculoviruses as to
marketing. The continued increase in pest resistance, the R and D costs and the
non-target effects of synthetic chemical pesticides are the reasons for
investing in baculovirus development. 32 products are on the market at the
moment—11 are for forestry use, and five for codling moth. The release of
genetically engineered strains is the focus of environmentalist concerns.
Baculoviruses for Crop Protection. L.G.
Copping: Agrow Report DS 85. PJB Publications, 18-20 Hill Rise, Richmond, Surrey
TW10 6UA. 1993, £185, 114pp.
Pesticide
Application Technology
This collection of 17 essays and reviews covers
the field of pesticide application in field crops, plantations, forests,
glasshouses and stores by most means, including manual sprayers, ground-based
sprayers and planes, and looks at droplet measurement, spray tracing, drift, and
operator exposure. The technology sections, the bulk of the book, are written by
experts in the field and are comprehensive; but the policy sections tend to
describe what should happen in the field rather than what does happen. How many
users even in Europe, let alone further afield, have adequate training in pest
control or employ re-usable containers and proper protective clothing?
Application Technology for Crop
Protection, G.A. Matthews & Hislop (Eds), CAB International, Wallingford,
Oxon OX10 8DE, 1993, £55, 359pp.
More
People, Less Erosion
This significant and important study challenges
the conventional wisdom of 30 years of ‘population’ and ‘development’
theory that people are responsible for land degradation. The book is
a landmark for developing sustainable agricultural strategies.
Following changes in the semi-arid Machakos region of Kenya
over a period of 60 years, the authors demonstrate population growth was
instrumental in preventing erosion and environmental degradation, some of which
was caused by top-down colonial and post-colonial policies. Between
1930 and 1990, the population of this District increased five fold, and the
improvements in the environment were marked by a decline in soil erosion as
farmers invested in terraces to protect arable land, trees for wood fuel, better
technology such as ox-ploughs and hoes. The study does not assess agrochemical
use, but implies this has not been a factor. Although there has recently been a
slight increase in the use of inorganic fertilisers, this is only sought by
farmers when there is a shortage of manure. Agricultural production increased
per person and per hectare.
While the authors do not maintain the lessons can be
replicated, and note that land security and stability are major factors, they
draw some important lessons. Private investment by farmers themselves
works when encouraged through market growth; people require security to take
risk and need a diversity of income sources; governments should tax exports only
at modest levels, and ensure the bulk of the world market price reaches the farm
gate; food self-sufficiency at farm level is best left to farmers’ own
judgements; top-down consultation does not work.
In exploring the relationship between increasing population
density, productivity and environmental degradation, the study finds population
increase can be compatible with environmental recovery.
More People, Less Erosion: Environmental
recovery in Kenya. Mary Tiffen, Michael Mortimore and Francis Gichuki,
John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1994, £22.50, 310pp.
Occupational
hazards in the Third World
Work-Related Diseases in Tropical Agriculture
provides a good review of literature relating to occupational diseases or
injury. The wide range of sources surveyed are put in a useful context for
those working on Third World health. The material falls into three categories,
with the most extensive information on poisoning or other disorders
associated with the use of pesticides. This covers: background to
pesticide poisoning in the Third World; the physiological effects; toxic
hazards; sustained exposure; inappropriate transfer of pesticide
technology; legislation and the export of hazardous materials; surveys of
pesticide poisoning; successful intervention to reduce the incidence;
options for pest control; recommendations from literature; action reported in
literature.
Work-Related Diseases in Tropical
Agriculture: A review of occupational disorders affecting agricultural
workers in tropical developing countries, Graeme Rainbird and David O’Neill,
Silsoe Research Institute, October 1933, 42pp.
New
approach to hazard in California
A fundamentally new strategy for risk assessment
and prevention has been suggested by the School of Public Health in California.
The current regulatory system has amassed an enormous quantity of information,
but failed to develop a mechanism for translating the science into priority
ranking of most hazardous pesticides for public policy.
A new risk management approach is needed to focus attention
on high-priority problems, establish genuine protective controls and effective
enforcement of regulation. The current system has achieved some success but is
falling further behind the changes in use patterns and labour relations.
Further, a new risk prevention approach is needed that promotes the reduction of
chemical dependency and substitution of less-toxic alternatives. Environmental
policy in other arenas is shifting from an emphasis on ‘end of pipe’
controls to ‘pollution prevention’ through changes in what is being produced
and how it is being produced.
Preventing pesticide-related Illness in
California Agriculture: Strategies and Priorities, William Pease, Rachel
Morello-Frosch David Albright Amy Kyle and James Robinson, An Environmental
Health Policy Program Report, Center for Occupational and Environmental Health,
School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, US, 72pp.
Complicating
IPM
The concepts of integrated pest management (IPM)
are accepted and applauded in the political and scientific arena, but practical
implementation is sometimes difficult (see page 12). This book focuses on the
precise nature of each pest problem and specifies carefully the approach. The
problem-based view encompasses the political, social and economic dimensions of
pest problems, as well as agronomic, ecological and technical features. The book
is aimed at students and practitioners concerned with improving pest
management—but farmers and growers would probably find it tough going.
Decision Tools for Pest Management, Ed.
G.A. Norton & J.D. Mumford, CAB International, Wallingford, Oxford, UK, £55,
368pp.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 23, March 1994, page 21+23]