Neonicotinoids: The Science and Regulatory Complexity

Growth in the agrochemical industry has been driven by the need to produce enough food to feed a rapidly growing global population. During the last century, global food production has doubled, driven initially by the introduction of mineral phosphate fertilizers in the early 20th century and then, in the 1940s, by the introduction of synthetic crop protection products (CPPs). However, despite the increased crop yields resulting from synthetic pesticide use, concerns over toxicity have also been highlighted, so the development of pesticides has proceeded with the aim of creating more effective and safer active ingredients to overcome the problems of the past. The e-book provides an overview; introducing neonicotinoids, explaining the science behind their use, the reasons for safety concerns and reviewing their regulatory status across the globe.