Effectiveness of Pesticide Price Policies in Agriculture

Abstract

The intensive use of pesticides in agricultural production in large parts of the world has been one of the key factors contributing to increased yields. There is an increasing concern, however, about the impact of pesticides on human and animal health and the environment more generally. As a result, several national and international initiatives have been taken to reduce the use of pesticides. The Commission of the European Communities (1992) has, for example, declared in its Fifth Environmental Action Programme that a significant reduction of pesticide use per unit of land should be achieved by the year 2000.