The Global Politics of Pesticides : Forging consensus from conflicting interests

This text unpicks the complex web of international relations, negotiations and agreements which governs pesticide use. It analyzes whether current regimes are effective, and whether anti-pesticide pressure groups are using the right mechanisms fighting against the prevalence of these chemicals.

The Global Politics of Pesticides explores the varied, and often conflicting, interests involved in the formulation of international policies on chemical pesticide manufacture and use in each of the main areas of environmental pollution, trade, development, public health, food security, biotechnology and industrial safety and explains why some aspects of pesticide use are subject to strict international guidelines whilst others are not. The book breaks new ground in objectively examining the competing viewpoints of food producers and other pesticide users, the chemical industry, health officials, traders, environmental/consumer pressure groups and the public. It also considers how international regulation can occur in spite of the fundamental differences of opinion and seemingly opposing interests held by the key actors.