the use of pesticides and herbicides?

Question

Some estimate that the use of $1 of pesticides and herbicides increases agricultural productivity by $4. Assuming this estimate is valid, would you be willing to ban the use of pesticides and herbicides and pay about four times as much for fruits and vegetables, or do you feel comfortable with present risks? Explain your reasoning

Answer 1

Well pesticides that kill insects are good for the farmer, but spread bacteria and infect the plants they grow. Secondly, pesticides that are oversprayed, eventually there might be a flood or just plain rain, sprinklers, etc. This will all drain out into the ocean. Not only does it hurt agriculturally (think thats a word), but it hurt marine life, and eventually we eat both and might consume these pesticides. Well, as long there isnt side effects to using herbicides, i guess i would still eat them. Although this is a form of laziness and procrastination, no one would wants to pay 4 times as much + high taxes. Also, without the use of the pesticides and herbicides, the plants and fruits that us humans and mammals eat, will be produced slower. This will cause 'second' world hunger in the US or the world. Im fine, but we can still also grow our own fruits and vegies! Just dont want cancer

Answer 2

The demand for fruit and vegetables raised without pesticides and herbicides is growing. A sure sign that people realize how damaging to our health and living space these chemicals are. In the home garden no pesticides or herbicides should be used. And 'yes' more and more consumers are willing to pay more for healthy products.My body deserves the healthiest food to keep it at an optimal level of functioning.

Answer 3

First, herbicides are in the family of pesticides, by definition. Second, the argument that fruits and vegetables would cost 4X as much without pesticides is incorrect. Most farmers only use pesticides if absolutely necessary, if for no other reason than cost. Most currently used pesticides are tested even more than many new medicines, so the "present risks" are no more than with new medicines. The question should also include asking people in countries other than the USA, where food is often limiting. Their reply might be much different than most Americans.

Answer 4

i dont like pesticides or herbicides there are natural ways to do the sam thing pesticide=spider for 1 and im not sure about herbicide but im sure there is something natural you can do for it but yes i would be willing to ban it and if prices went up alot on fruits and veggies i would simply start my own garden and eat the fruit from it and buy less from the stores or farms

Answer 5

i disagree with those estimates, because pesticides create problems that aren't immediately visible. pesticides kill all insects, even the beneficial ones, so when you do end up with a pest problem you will need to treat with pesticides to get rid of it.
so you get more and more pest problems, using more and more pesticides, and costing more and more $$.

that doesn't even estimate the cost you pay to clean your water to drink it after chemicals run off farmland and contaminate local water supplies.
your estimate isn't taking anything like that into account. why? because people who make the poisons, don't want you to realize where the pesticides are costing you just as much, but going a different direction.
there are many many ways to control pests without chemicals, weeds to!

I'm going to assume mr.phattphattis being sarcastic!

Answer 6

add to your concern this: who is lying? DDT was banned because of a lie that took 20 years to be discovered. Do you know how many children died from diseases spread by mesquito and other pests since DDT was banned.. Do you know another name for ''wet land''? Try swamp! what is now called ''our prescious wetlands'' was, until recently called nasty, septic swamps.. Do you know why our water tables have gone down and the ocean is desalinating?? Some lying idiot convinced the Fed to make an EPA and stuffed it with america hating fools who would destroy your way of life if they could, then; they declared - without evidence - that ponds and lakes are bad, they broke as many dams as they could, dredged the river beds, and put an end to the regenerating ''flood plains'' that fed america for centuries! All the fresh rain water drains quickly into the oceans, and doesnot refresh the water tables, then; the rainy season ends and there is no water in reserve= this is the reason for global warming- earth has a fever, and liberal environmental wackos are the virus.. Pesticides and herbicides in the hands of caring intelligent conservative farmers and ranchers are good for America.

Answer 7

Compare this to the cost the average cancer patient and insurance companies have to pay per patient. This is not to suggest that all use/chemicals are bad, but historically problems exist and I would suggest studies regarding long term exposure regarding herbicide/pesticide use on farms, course golf courses and power lines. I reference childhoold leukemia and other cancers.

Answer 8

I don't agree w/ those figures...I grew lucious tomatoes in my back yard w/ out pesticides and I saved money by not buying the pesticides/herbacides.....