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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Anne Davies

Australia’s farmers could reap the benefits from smarter use of pesticides

Worker spraying toxic pesticides or insecticides on corn plantation
Australia’s ambitions to grow its agricultural sector may be hampered by the use of pesticides banned by potential trading partners. Photograph: D-Keine/Getty Images

Australia wants to turn its agricultural sector into a $100bn a year industry by 2030, a growth target of nearly 20%. But our reliance on pesticides compared with some of our major trading partners could see that ambition thwarted.

The pushback from UK environmental groups in recent months over the Australia-UK free trade agreement, because of Australia’s use of 70 pesticides banned in the EU, highlighted the risk.

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