2024-02-13 18:11:29
In 2021, 43,000 tonnes of phytosanitary products were sold in France. The most at-risk products saw a sharp decline, from 5,426 tonnes in 2018 to 781 tonnes in 2021. Hoda Bogdan / stock.adobe.com
DECRYPTION – The suspension of the government’s Écophyto 2030 plan, which is to halve the use of pesticides by 2030, is relaunching the debate on the harmfulness of pesticides. Le Figaro takes stock of the state of scientific knowledge regarding their health effects.
They have long been used excessively, without much precaution, to kill insects, eliminate mold and destroy weeds. But since the 1970s, carelessness has gradually given way to worry. Now, pesticides are scary. A large part of public opinion considers them responsible for diseases, particularly cancers. Is this justified?
To find out, the researchers first looked, as is usual, at the most exposed populations. In this case, the farmers. In France, the Agrican study has been monitoring the health of 182,000 people affiliated to the Mutualité sociale agricole for nearly twenty years (70% are active or retired farmers). First lesson, « there are overall fewer cancers than in the general population, which is mainly explained by better lifestyle habits, notably less smoking and more physical activity »reports Pierre Lebailly, lecturer…
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