Keswick Ridges School in Canada Answers to Question AF1

BEGINNING Pesticides have been used in the agricultural industry in Canada for many years. Currently, pesticide use is growing rapidly. Approximately three quarters of All commercial croplands are treated with pesticides. Several pesticides used on crops are thought to be cancer causing & having other negative effects on people and wildlife.

Question 1. Are pesticides used in the agricultural Industry in your country? If so, on what crops? What percentage of pesticide use? Are there any negative effects of pesticide use on people and wildlife?

Answers. Yes, pesticides are used in the agricultural industry in my country, South Africa. 20% of pesticides are used 25% of herbicides are used 7% of insecticides are used 15% and 30% of world fungicides and other pesticides are used respectively. There has been no negative effects of pesticide use on people and wildlife recorded in S.A.

Question 2. What is your opinion on pesticide use on Cropland with respect to the health risks for Human and wildlife.

Answers. Our opinion is that pesticides have to be used whether we like it or not because if we don’t use pesticides, the agricultural industry will be unsuccessful and that means not enough food for the whole world to eat. In terms of health risks to living organisms, less harmful pesticides can be made so that they aren’t that harmful to people and there is medicine and treatment that can be taken to make people better if an infection does occur in the person or group of people.