Pesticide reduction possible but complex

A working group of the Academy of Agriculture has concluded that reducing pesticide use in French agriculture is possible, but it requires a comprehensive transition that considers all aspects of agricultural production, including crop rotations, fertilizers, energy use, land parceling, mechanization, and water management.

Review of past pesticide reduction plans

The report, completed in September, assessed the current situation and reviewed the history of the Ecophytos plans. These plans aimed to significantly reduce the use of phytosanitary products, such as pesticides and herbicides, but had limited success in achieving their goals.

Criticism of past approaches

The authors note that the Ecophytos plans were criticized for focusing on a single group of actors and imposing goals without consultation. This approach made farmers feel like defendants rather than participants in the transition to more sustainable practices.

Challenges in implementing change

The report suggests that technically, the solutions to reduce pesticide use are known. However, the main challenge lies in removing the blocking points and ensuring farmers fully embrace and take ownership of the transition to more sustainable methods.

Need for policy and market support

The authors emphasize the need to link the transition to public policies and a contractual approach. They suggest creating a new market for products from transition agriculture that are credible and provide fair compensation for farmers' efforts.

Existing approaches and their limitations

They recommend relying on existing approaches, such as regenerative agriculture and territorial strategies, which allow for adaptation to local conditions and promote confidence among stakeholders. However, the report also acknowledges the imperfections of regenerative agriculture, including ambiguities around associated agricultural practices.