Quality Control of Plant Growth, Plant Protection, and Quarantine

The development and use of many efficient and economical pesticides, since the 1940s, have permitted unprecedented crop and animal protection, and improved public health. Despite the positive effects mentioned above, many problems arose, such as the destruction of other pests in addition to target pests, destruction of natural enemies, pest resistance, and the health hazards caused by pesticide residues in foods. Trends in agriculture such as integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture, development of new and more effective pesticides, and the breeding of new and resistant plant varieties have the aim of eliminating negative effects of the use of pesticides without disrupting the positive achievements. Food regulations at the national level, and the activity of international organizations, are the tools for assurance of food safety because they establish acceptable limits of contamination and enforce food regulations and food laws.