Occurrence of Pesticides

Pesticides (plant treatment products, plant protection products, insecticides, biocides), like mineral fertilisers, are among the production resources widely used in agriculture today. The aim is to secure harvests and improve the quality of crops. Pesticides can be divided into the following substance groups depending on their usage:

• Protection from pests (insecticides, rodenticides, acaricides, nematicides, molluscicides)
• Protection from plant diseases (fungicides, bactericides, virucides)
• Protection from competing plants (herbicides)
• In addition: growth regulators, germination inhibitors, surface treatment agents, fumigants, wood preservatives and more

In Germany, there are currently 268 active ingredients in 1,171 preparations approved as plant protection products, of which 93 active ingredients and active ingredient combinations are used in 252 preparations for medicinal plants and spice plants (as of June 2010). It is estimated that more than 1,350 active ingredients are used worldwide.