Pesticides, poverty and livelihoods

Organic cotton reduces pesticide damage to the environment, and helps companies move into greener, socially-responsible production. Small scale farmers in developing countries benefit from stable income, reduced spending on pesticides, and better health.
    PAN UK is proud to launch three new reports on organic cotton based on research undertaken in 2001-2. The first of these reports evaluates organic cotton production and potential in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights the benefits that organic production brings to farmers in terms of higher incomes and better health. 
    The second report examines Northern markets. It investigates barriers to increased consumption of organic cotton and highlights market opportunities for businesses. Consumers more than ever want ethically sourced products.
    The final report examines and evaluates research on GM cotton, and discusses the implications to small scale farmers. ‘The claim that herbicide tolerant cotton would lead to reduced use of herbicides has not been substantiated in the US’, said Sue Mayer, the report’s author, who points out that ‘pesticide resistant cotton has encouraged increased damage by secondary pests such as stink bugs’.
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[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 58, December 2002, page 21]