Swedish Use Increase

In 1993, 8,915 tonnes of active ingredients were sold in Sweden, up 2.5% from 8,693 tonnes  in 1992 and 10% from 8,007 tonnes in 1991. The figures are based on manufacturers' sales. Despite the increases, overall sales are still well below the 1986-1990 annual average of 11,008 tonnes and the 1981-1985 average of 13,546 tonnes.
    Pesticide sales in agriculture have continued to decline during the 1990s following the government's pesticide reduction measures (in agriculture only) introduced in the mid-1980s (see PN 14 pp.12-14). Pesticide use was 1,464 tonnes in 1993—only 16% of the market—down from 1,512 in 1992 and 1,837 in 1991. During the late 1980s, a decrease in agricultural use was mirrored in other sectors.  But industrial use has now increased.

Försålda Kvantiteter av Bekämpnings-Medel 1993, KEMI (The National Chemicals Inspectorate),Solna, Sweden, February 1994.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 24, June 1994, page 19]